Johnson expects 'fit' Bolt to lower records
Source: Agencies |
July 6, 2012, Friday
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AMERICAN great Michael Johnson believes Usain Bolt can lower his 100 meters world record from 9.58 to 9.4 seconds and has also suggested two years is not a long enough ban for drug cheats.
"If Usain was to be really focused and committed on cleaning up his technique he could probably run 9.4 seconds but he would have to do some major training and adjustments in the way that he runs," Johnson said in an interview with Laureus.com.
"I think he can do whatever he wants to do. If he gets to the starting line healthy, at his best, everyone else at their best, he wins every time ... he's that good."
Bolt yesterday withdrew from his final race before the Olympics with what his coach called a "slight" injury problem following the Jamaican trials.
Bolt was scheduled to run the 200 meters at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 20 but pulled out to have treatment ahead of the London Games.
Despite the withdrawal, Bolt said he would be in London to defend his titles.
Johnson, who holds the world and Olympic records over 400 meters, was impressed by Yohan Blake's two victories over Bolt at the Jamaican trials and believes the 22-year-old is another gold-medal prospect at the London Games that start on July 27.
"Yohan Blake showed he will take advantage when Bolt does not perform at his best," the American said. "Bolt now has a legitimate challenger and will need to be at his best in London to defend his Olympic title."
Johnson also called for the punishment for drug cheats to be increased from two to four years.
He and his relay partners gave back their gold medals won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics following 4x400 teammate Antonio Pettigrew's admission in 2008 that he had taken banned substances erythropoietin and human growth hormone.
"You have people continuing to use performance enhancing drugs because you could be banned for two years and you could be back for the next Olympics," said the 44-year-old Johnson.
"That's just not enough of a punishment specifically in sports like athletics where the Olympics is really what it's all about. "A lifetime ban? I think everyone should be given a second chance."
"If Usain was to be really focused and committed on cleaning up his technique he could probably run 9.4 seconds but he would have to do some major training and adjustments in the way that he runs," Johnson said in an interview with Laureus.com.
"I think he can do whatever he wants to do. If he gets to the starting line healthy, at his best, everyone else at their best, he wins every time ... he's that good."
Bolt yesterday withdrew from his final race before the Olympics with what his coach called a "slight" injury problem following the Jamaican trials.
Bolt was scheduled to run the 200 meters at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 20 but pulled out to have treatment ahead of the London Games.
Despite the withdrawal, Bolt said he would be in London to defend his titles.
Johnson, who holds the world and Olympic records over 400 meters, was impressed by Yohan Blake's two victories over Bolt at the Jamaican trials and believes the 22-year-old is another gold-medal prospect at the London Games that start on July 27.
"Yohan Blake showed he will take advantage when Bolt does not perform at his best," the American said. "Bolt now has a legitimate challenger and will need to be at his best in London to defend his Olympic title."
Johnson also called for the punishment for drug cheats to be increased from two to four years.
He and his relay partners gave back their gold medals won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics following 4x400 teammate Antonio Pettigrew's admission in 2008 that he had taken banned substances erythropoietin and human growth hormone.
"You have people continuing to use performance enhancing drugs because you could be banned for two years and you could be back for the next Olympics," said the 44-year-old Johnson.
"That's just not enough of a punishment specifically in sports like athletics where the Olympics is really what it's all about. "A lifetime ban? I think everyone should be given a second chance."
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