Usain Bolt shifts focus to 200 metres, Olympic history
Get ready for more of The Bolt Show.
Usain Bolt dropped by London’s Olympic Stadium for a brief visit Monday night and did things his way, as usual, jumping to the top step of the medal podium to collect his second consecutive gold for the 100 metres.
When the Jamaican sensation returns to the track on Tuesday, it'll be for the first round of the 200 metres, an event he's planning to win, too, as part of his quest to become what he calls a "living legend."
As it is, Bolt and Carl Lewis are the only men to take home back-to-back golds in the 100.
No man ever has won two Olympic 200s.
After his victory Sunday in the shorter event in 9.63 seconds — the second-fastest time in history — Bolt was asked whether he's the best sprinter ever. His reply revealed a rare bit of modesty from a guy who tends to showboat aplenty, then backs it up when it's race time.
"I can't say that. I think I have to wait until the 200 metres, and then my fans got to say, 'Yes, he is,' and the media's got to say, 'Yes he is.' I'm never going to say I'm the greatest until after my 200 metres."
Favourite race
That's his favourite race, the one in which he holds the world record of 19.19, set at the 2009 world championships. The 200 semifinals are Wednesday, and the final is Thursday night.
Once again, Bolt figures to face a tough challenge from his Jamaican teammate and training partner, Yohan Blake, who took the silver in the 100 on Saturday. Blake beat Bolt in both sprints at their national Olympic trials.
"I've told Yohan Blake that 200 metres will be different, because that's my signature event. I'm not going to let him beat me again. I've said that to him already," Bolt said. "Remember I said that, Yohan."
The 200 qualifying heats close out the morning session Tuesday. Other events on the schedule include the 110-metre hurdles featuring defending champion Dayron Robles of Cuba and 2004 gold medallist Liu Xiang of China, who pulled out of his preliminary round at home four years ago; and qualifying in the women's 5,000 metres, women's javelin and the men's triple jump.
At night, the women will run their 200 semifinals, and medals will be awarded for the men's high jump, men's discus, men's 1,500 and the women's 100 hurdles, where Dawn Harper will try to win a second gold in a row and Lolo Jones will try to win her first after stumbling in the 2008 final.
In the first round of the women's 200 on Monday, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica provided the only bit of drama, barely making it into the top three of her heat to advance.
Americans Sanya Richards-Ross — already the 400 champion — Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter, also made it through, along with Jamaican 100-meter gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Richards-Ross had the best time of the bunch at 22.48 seconds after a restless four or five hours of sleep the night before with her new gold medal.