Usain Bolt is ‘very confident’ his world records won’t be broken

JAMAICA’S Usain Bolt thinks his famous athletics world records will remain intact during Tokyo 2020 in 2021. “I’m very confident,” Bolt said during an Instagram Live with @Olympics.

“I’m not saying it’s not going to happen. But I don’t think the crop I’m watching; I don’t think they’re there at a level [to run times of] 9.58s or 19.19s. So, we’ll see what happens.”

In 2008, Bolt went to Beijing as the favourite to win the 100m title on the athletics track in the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium.

He won individual Olympic titles in the 100m and 200m at world record paces, and became a global phenomenon.

The current 100m and 200m world records were set a year later at the World Championships in Berlin.

The 100m record stands at 9.58s, with the 200m at 19.19s.

Usain Bolt backs Trayvon Bromell

The favourite for the 100m title at Tokyo 2020 appears to be US sprinter Trayvon Bromell.

He set a world leading time of 9.77s on 5 June. “He’s really stepped up and shown that he’s ready and he is fit,” Bolt said.

“As long as he stays good, he should be on top.” The 100m is a notoriously brutal race, with tiny margins marking the difference.

“Mentally, it’s tough on you, and making one mistake [in the] 100m finals can be [your] downfall. So, let’s see what happens.”

Mixed Relays

The Olympics will host an exciting new event in the athletics programme in 2021.

The mixed relays will provide another opportunity for 400m runners to take an Olympic medal.

Bolt was reluctant to provide any predictions for the winners directly.

“But I think Great Britain and the US really have strong teams. So, let’s see how that goes.”

The first round of the 4x400m mixed relay will be on the first day of athletics competition at Tokyo 2020 on Friday, 30 July.

- www. olympics.com/tokyo-2020