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Bolt chasing medals, not records
Usain Bolt says that his biggest goal at the London Olympics in two years' time will be simply to win the 100m gold medal again, even though he believes the distance can be run in a record breaking 9.4-second range.
"I'm always just happy with a gold medal," the Jamaican sprint star told The Associated Press. "If we go there and nobody breaks a record, I'll always have the record and there's no worries for me."
At Beijing in 2008, he smashed the world record in both the 100 and 200 and celebrated in style - shooting that fake bow and arrow into the sky before the race, dancing after the finish line and turning the Bird's Nest into his own private playground. He improved on his 100m record last year at the world championships. It currently stands at 9.58 seconds and he thinks he can go lower.
"I always say that probably 9.4 is possible," Bolt said. "I hope I can be the one to get there because I work very hard and I want nothing but to be the best."
To be a "legend," though, he doesn't believe he'll have to set another record in London. He'll merely have to win.
"I don't think I'm a legend now," he said. "A lot of people have done it one time. If I can double, few people in the world can say they're double Olympic gold medalists. I want to be one of those few people."
Carl Lewis is the only male runner to repeat in the 100 at the Olympics.
Bolt is also looking beyond 2012, when he would consider competing in the long jump for a change of pace. Earlier this year, he said he might have to do something else "because people are probably tired of seeing me."
People getting tired of Usain Bolt? Hardly seems possible.
"I think definitely they can if you win all the time," he said.
"The reason people enjoy seeing me is because I'm different from other athletes. It's fun to watch me. If I keep that up, they probably won't get bored. If I just win, win, win like a normal athlete and don't make it fun, they probably will."
One way Bolt is keeping things fresh is by changing his racewear for each of this year's Diamond League meets in Europe. An artist in each city is designing a new singlet for him to wear.
"People really enjoy it and it's something to look forward to," he said. "It's something new. I think people like it. I'm the one who does things like this that no one else will do."
Bolt is scheduled to face Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in the 100
for the first time this year at a meet next week in Stockholm.
