Bolt yet to decide if he will double in Beijing
RALEIGH, North Carolina: World 100m record holder Usain Bolt will rely on the advice of his coach before deciding whether to attempt a sprint double at the Beijing Olympics.
Bolt, who broke fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell's world record in New York last Saturday, told a teleconference on Tuesday that he would definitely run the 200m in Beijing.
"I prefer the 200," Bolt said. "I have been dedicating my whole life really to the 200 and I would really like to get a gold medal in the 200."
He said his coach Glen Mills would have the final say on a 100-200 double.
"It sounds like I may be doubling, but we are not sure yet ...(I will run) the 200 for sure," said Bolt. "This has been my fourth year with my coach and he has made nothing but good decisions.
"If he decides I should do only the 200, I am fine with that because I am sure he has his reasons and they would be good reasons."
Bolt said a decision would be made after the Jamaican Olympic trials from June 27-29, where he will meet Powell in the 100.
"I'm not going there to race Asafa, I'm going there to make the team," Bolt said. "Maybe on another day, at another track meet if we meet, that would be a showdown, but I don't think it (the trials) will be a big deal for me. I just want to make the team."
Bolt hinted that he could run in the London grand prix on July 25-26, where Powell and American world champion Tyson Gay are already scheduled to race in the 100, but added that nothing was yet decided.
At a time when all world records are suspect after a series of doping suspensions, especially in the sprints, Bolt said doubters should not be surprised at his improvement from a 10.03 sprinter to his world 100 record of 9.72.
Agencies
(China Daily 06/05/2008 page24)
