Bolt to run 100m, 4x100m in London farewell
USAIN Bolt will run the 100m and 4x100m at the world championships in London next month, his final event before retiring, the Jamaican sprint star confirmed yesterday, reports AFP.
Bolt, winner of eight Olympic and 11 world gold medals, is looking to bring down the curtain on his glittering career in style at the August 4 to 13 event. “My main aim is just to win (in London). I just want to retire on a winning note,” Bolt said during a press conference in Monaco ahead of Friday’s Diamond League meeting.
The 30-year-old revealed he would not defend his 200m world title, meaning he will not race against South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, the athlete Bolt has tipped to take over as the next track and field superstar.
“I think that’s one of the most disappointing things in my career now,” said Bolt. “He came along at this late stage and I didn’t get to compete against him, because I think he’s one of the best now.”
He added: “I’m never afraid, I live for competition. But for me it’s too late now, I’m at the end of my career. We’ll never know what could happen.”
Bolt will compete in the 100m in Monaco — his third race of the season after appearances in Kingston and Ostrava — where he is hoping to dip under the 10second barrier.
“I’m feeling good, the season started off slow for me. I had a setback after my friend Germaine (Mason) passed away,” Bolt said, referring to death of the British high jumper, a 2008 Olympic silver medallist, in a motorbike crash in Jamaica in April.”