JAMAICAN superstar sprinter, Usain Bolt, is still worried about injuries but is convinced he can add to his gold medal collection in Rio.
Whatever is happening in the fast-moving Olympic world there’s one constant: Usain Bolt’s bravado and self-confidence.
It’s what is expected from the world’s fastest man and greatest showman.
“I know the sport needs me to win and come out on top,” Bolt said as he looked ahead to the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil kicking off next week.
As for his defence of three Olympic gold medals next month, a so-called “triple triple” Bolt is adamant: “I’m not going to lose one of the golds, for sure.”
In his last lengthy media appointment before heading to Rio de Janeiro, Bolt spent about two hours over a Jamaican lunch in London last week discussing his Olympic prospects.
His preparations for the defence of his Olympic titles (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) have been far from smooth, with a hamstring injury forcing him out of the Jamaican trials.
His biggest rivals in Brazil are set to be American duo Justin Gatlin and LaShawn Merritt, who have run the fastest times this year in the 100m (9.80 seconds) and 200m (19.74) respectively.
Bolt holds the 100m (9.58) and 200m (19.19) world records.
“I always have little doubts in my mind,” he told the Associated Press. “But I’m focused and ready to go.”
Long-time coach Glenn Mills has offered the comforting reassurance Bolt still craves. “My coach always tells me that the older you get, the harder it’s going to get, and you have to push yourself.”
Bolt expects Rio to be his last Olympics but has still not ruled out the possibility of a trip to Tokyo: “My coach always says ‘Usain, you can always go on to the 2020 Olympics if you want’.”
