With Usain Bolt, the old routines never get boring. The pre-race posturing, the post-race celebrations — they all complete the super-attractive, Made-in-Jamaica package. Except that the package was in danger of not arriving on time for the Beijing World Championships.
Those fears were dispelled in memorable fashion by the big man himself at the Bird’s Nest on Sunday when he won the 100M in a tight finish against Justin Gatlin, a race he admitted was the toughest of his career.
“It is certainly the hardest of my career,” said Bolt at the post-race press conference. I have gone through a lot this season. It has been rough but I have pulled through it. Before the race, my coach told me one thing — Gatlin always shows up for the big races. To win you need to execute a good race. It wasn’t the best but I went out and got it done. So I am proud of myself.”
Despite all the worries and concerns expressed all around, Bolt said he had never doubted himself. “As an athlete, if you start doubting yourself, you have already lost the race. I never doubt myself. I know my abilities, I just went out and ran my race,” he said.
Bolt was in danger of missing the final after a bad stumble in the semifinal. He said a chat with his coach (Glen Mills) had helped him regroup and regain his focus for the gold medal dash.
“I really don’t know what happened, perhaps I was thinking about the race too much. My coach said, ‘you have run enough races to know what it takes to win. Relax, go out there and execute.’ That is what I did.”
Gatlin faltered a bit in the final few metres and Bolt said he had seen it through the corner of his eye. “I could see it but my coach had told me this is a race where you have to run the full 100 metres to win and I just ran through the finish,” he explained.
Gatlin’s phenomenal improvement at the age of 33 had clouded his stature and the former world and Olympic champion had maintained a defiant attitude to his critics. He adopted a similar stance on the night when queried about his views on the context of the race.
“I am thankful,” he answered the questioner who urged him to give specifics. “Specifically, I am thankful,” the American said again.
Another question followed on how important a clear answer was. Unperturbed, Gatlin replied, “Very important? I am thankful.”
The famous rivals will now meet again in the 200M. “I will go back, relax a bit and then turn my focus on the 200M, everyone knows it is my favourite race and I will look to do well in that again,” said Bolt, the three-time champion in the event.
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