Bolt up for the act as Daegu ready to roll
Source: Agencies |
August 27, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE star of the show will make his first appearance on the opening day of the world championships in Daegu.
Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who has become the most recognizable name in athletics because of his blistering speed and over-the-top showmanship, will run in heats of the 100 meters today.
More world records, however, are not likely this time.
"People expect a lot from me," said Bolt, who set world marks in winning the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then followed with two more at the 2009 worlds in Berlin. "Personally, I'm just focused on winning."
Bolt won't get a chance to win a medal on opening day, though, because the 100 final is set for Sunday. The only two medal events today are in the women's 10,000 meters and marathon. Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the 5,000 two years ago in Berlin, is aiming for a long-distance double this time. The Kenyan only started running competitively in the 10,000 this year, but is already one of the favorites along with defending champion Linet Masai and Meseret Defar.
In the marathon, Chinese runners Zhou Chunxiu and Zhu Xiaolin will be bidding to make it two in a row for their country after Bai Xue won in Berlin. Edna Kiplagat, who was third at the London Marathon in April, will also be contending for the first medal of the championships. Besides the men's 100, the women's 100 will also begin today. Other events include the first five disciplines in the decathlon, the men's 800, pole vault qualifying and hammer throw qualifying, and the women's 400, steeplechase and qualifying for the discus and long jump.
But as usual, Bolt will be the one to take the spotlight and probably steal the show. "That's just who I am. I like to have fun, like to make people laugh," Bolt said. "The fans like seeing me being me and trying to enjoy the championships as much as possible."
Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who has become the most recognizable name in athletics because of his blistering speed and over-the-top showmanship, will run in heats of the 100 meters today.
More world records, however, are not likely this time.
"People expect a lot from me," said Bolt, who set world marks in winning the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then followed with two more at the 2009 worlds in Berlin. "Personally, I'm just focused on winning."
Bolt won't get a chance to win a medal on opening day, though, because the 100 final is set for Sunday. The only two medal events today are in the women's 10,000 meters and marathon. Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the 5,000 two years ago in Berlin, is aiming for a long-distance double this time. The Kenyan only started running competitively in the 10,000 this year, but is already one of the favorites along with defending champion Linet Masai and Meseret Defar.
In the marathon, Chinese runners Zhou Chunxiu and Zhu Xiaolin will be bidding to make it two in a row for their country after Bai Xue won in Berlin. Edna Kiplagat, who was third at the London Marathon in April, will also be contending for the first medal of the championships. Besides the men's 100, the women's 100 will also begin today. Other events include the first five disciplines in the decathlon, the men's 800, pole vault qualifying and hammer throw qualifying, and the women's 400, steeplechase and qualifying for the discus and long jump.
But as usual, Bolt will be the one to take the spotlight and probably steal the show. "That's just who I am. I like to have fun, like to make people laugh," Bolt said. "The fans like seeing me being me and trying to enjoy the championships as much as possible."
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