The Bolt from Jamaica blitzed Beijing: And now for Shanghai
By Ni Yinbin |
May 17, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE last time Jamaican flying machine Usain Bolt was in China he won three Olympic gold medals in blistering world-record times.
On Sunday it is Shanghai's turn to play host to the man who runs like the wind - and he's raring to go.
His target is the 200-meter race at the 2010 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai.
And while his greatest competitors - fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay - are not making the trip to Shanghai, Bolt is not resting on his laurels.
"I take all my opponents seriously and never underestimate anyone," Bolt told reporters in his homeland over the weekend.
"It will be my first time back in China since the Beijing Olympic Games and that went well, so I hope for continued success and a great welcome in Shanghai."
Bolt's main rivals in Shanghai will be his fellow countrymen Marvin Anderson, Jermaine Gonzales, Nesta Carter and Steve Mullings, Churandy Martina from the Netherlands, Ronald Pognon from France and Li Mingxuan and Zhang Peimeng from China.
The world champion may face his greatest challenge from Carter, who ran 9.88 seconds and finished runner-up in the men's 100m in the 2010 IAAF Diamond League Doha last Friday.
Two-time world championship bronze medalist Powell won the race in 9.81.
After the Olympics and the world championships, Bolt, 23, has nothing to prove but he remains fully focused.
"I want to be a legend in sport and have people all over the world remember me and my achievements in years to come," Bolt said. "To achieve this I need to keep winning and defend my titles and that is my main motivation."
He also revealed his amazing expectations in the 100m when asked about his limitations.
"I don't really focus on times ... I just try to win races," he said. "I guess 9.4 may be possible.
"I don't really put myself under pressure. I try to enjoy what I am doing."
Bolt is expected to arrive in Shanghai on Friday - amid much fanfare - after competing in an IAAF pre-championship meet in Daegu, South Korea, on Wednesday.
Upgraded from the former Golden Grand Prix, the Diamond League is a new series of world-class track and field meetings that began this year.
On offer is a 4-carat diamond ring, worth US$80,000, to athletes who have the highest scores in each discipline at the end of the season, on top of regular fees and bonuses.
Only the top 20 ranked athletes for each discipline are eligible for this event, including all Olympic champions, world champions and world record holders.
Sunday's event, the second of 14 meets around the world, will be held at Shanghai Stadium.
On Sunday it is Shanghai's turn to play host to the man who runs like the wind - and he's raring to go.
His target is the 200-meter race at the 2010 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai.
And while his greatest competitors - fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay - are not making the trip to Shanghai, Bolt is not resting on his laurels.
"I take all my opponents seriously and never underestimate anyone," Bolt told reporters in his homeland over the weekend.
"It will be my first time back in China since the Beijing Olympic Games and that went well, so I hope for continued success and a great welcome in Shanghai."
Bolt's main rivals in Shanghai will be his fellow countrymen Marvin Anderson, Jermaine Gonzales, Nesta Carter and Steve Mullings, Churandy Martina from the Netherlands, Ronald Pognon from France and Li Mingxuan and Zhang Peimeng from China.
The world champion may face his greatest challenge from Carter, who ran 9.88 seconds and finished runner-up in the men's 100m in the 2010 IAAF Diamond League Doha last Friday.
Two-time world championship bronze medalist Powell won the race in 9.81.
After the Olympics and the world championships, Bolt, 23, has nothing to prove but he remains fully focused.
"I want to be a legend in sport and have people all over the world remember me and my achievements in years to come," Bolt said. "To achieve this I need to keep winning and defend my titles and that is my main motivation."
He also revealed his amazing expectations in the 100m when asked about his limitations.
"I don't really focus on times ... I just try to win races," he said. "I guess 9.4 may be possible.
"I don't really put myself under pressure. I try to enjoy what I am doing."
Bolt is expected to arrive in Shanghai on Friday - amid much fanfare - after competing in an IAAF pre-championship meet in Daegu, South Korea, on Wednesday.
Upgraded from the former Golden Grand Prix, the Diamond League is a new series of world-class track and field meetings that began this year.
On offer is a 4-carat diamond ring, worth US$80,000, to athletes who have the highest scores in each discipline at the end of the season, on top of regular fees and bonuses.
Only the top 20 ranked athletes for each discipline are eligible for this event, including all Olympic champions, world champions and world record holders.
Sunday's event, the second of 14 meets around the world, will be held at Shanghai Stadium.
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