Bolt out to prove he’s still got it

Jamaican runner Usain Bolt ties his shoelace during a training session at the Stadio dei Marmi in Rome, Tuesday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

ROME - World record holder Usain Bolt says he wants to prove he’s still the best in the business when he makes his comeback to the track on Thursday after a nine month absence.

The Jamaican has not raced since August, when he was beaten by American Tyson Gay.

The American won’t be at the Golden Gala meeting at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico but Bolt’s old domestic rival Asafa Powell, the former world record holder, will be there to provide stiff opposition.

Bolt has made a few changes since he last raced, bulking up on muscle and working on his start.

He says he hasn’t lost any confidence in himself despite that defeat to Gay in Stockholm and now wants to remind everyone who is boss.

“You lose some, you win some, you never win every race in your entire career,” he said. “Last season wasn’t my best, it was down time for me. This season it’s back to business. I’m really focused, I’m ready now and I’m out to prove to the world I’m still the best.”

And although Bolt isn’t used to losing he says nobody should be surprised that he was beaten by Gay.

“Tyson Gay is definitely one of those sprinters that never gives up, he’s really determined,” said the 24-year-old Jamaican.

“He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t party, he’s really focused on what he wants. He’s a complete athlete and a wonderful competitor.”

Gay isn’t running in Rome but Powell is and Bolt doesn’t want to suffer a second defeat to his compatriot.

Powell has beaten him just once in nine outings, and that too was in Stockholm back in 2008.

But while Bolt is the world record holder in the 100 meter and 200 meter, and an Olympic and world champion in both, Powell is the great choker, having never won a major gold medal, even when he was the fastest man in the world.

Even so, Bolt expects tough competition from his friend.

“Asafa’s a great athlete, he’s been in the top three for a lot of years now, he broke the world record many times,” said Bolt.

“He’s great, he’s going to come out and run hard. I’m looking forward to it. The competition is always great between us.”

There’s one more name in the 100-meter lineup who may also compete for a bit of press attention, and that’s Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre.

Last year the 20-year-old became the first white man to run under 10 seconds in the 100 meter and is the current French record holder.

And Bolt believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

“I haven’t been watching a lot of track and field. Since the start of the season I’ve really been focused on trying to get into shape,” said the Jamaican. “But Christophe is a great athlete, he has to focus on himself and not worry about others because if you worry about the others you start making mistakes.

“The key is to work hard and stay focused, in time he will be in the top three or four in the world.”

It’s not just about the men’s 100 meter sprint, though, as two world champions will be going head-to-head in two women’s events.

Americans Allyson Felix, the three-time world 200 meter champion, and Sanya Richards, the 400 meter winner in Berlin two years ago, will do battle twice in one night.

Felix won both events here last year but Richards has won her speciality event four times in five appearances in Rome.

Another star to look out for is women’s high jumper Blanka Vlasic, the double world champion.

AFP

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