Life hasn’t changed: Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt tells Rajesh Pansare why it is good to have fun on the track. The fastest man on earth defends his much-criticised celebrations. In a free-wheeling conversation, he also talks about his favourite cricketers — Matthew Hayden and Andrew Flintoff.

How has your life changed since Beijing?
My life hasn’t changed that much — it is just that more people recognise me wherever I go. Generally people are very nice to me.

Your coach wanted you to focus on 200-400 metres rather than 100-200. How did you convince him?
We made a deal.  If I broke the Jamaican Record in the 200m he agreed to let me run the 100m.  I broke the 200m record last year and he let me run a small 100m race which I won in 10.03 secs. After this he knew I could run very fast if we trained more specifically for the 100m and 200m.

Jamaican 400 metres coach Bert Cameron (former world champion) said during a recent interview that very soon you will shift you attention to 400 metres? What’s the reason behind it?
A lot of people would like to see me run the 400m, but I am in no hurry to move up.  I think I will move up eventually but for now I am happy to concentrate on the 100 and 200m.

IOC President Jacques Rogge was unhappy with your celebrations in Beijing. He said ‘You had no respect for your opponents’.
Everyone I spoke to was very happy for me.  A lot of athletes told me that they enjoyed my celebrations and realised that it is good to have fun on the track. I don’t think the athletes had a problem with it.

You always had the talent, but your work ethic was questioned in early part of your professional career. How did you manage to turn things around?
I started training with coach in 2005 and he taught me the discipline and focus that is required to make it to the top. His advice really helped me. Since then my performance has been pretty good. I would give him the credit for the heights I have reached so early in my career.

Most people feel athletics has got the hero it has been craving for years after your performance in Beijing?
I am glad people enjoy my running and I hope they will continue to enjoy it for a long time. I hope to entertain them for a long time. For that I’ve to remain injury free as well.  

Allegations have cropped up that you are on dope.
Athletics has had a tough time over the years and it is fair for people outside the sport to ask questions but I am clean and will continue to run clean throughout my career.  The people who have followed my career progression are not that surprised.

Why did you reject the scholarships from several US Universities, considering the fact the kind of facilities they have were much better than in Jamaica?
I love living in Jamaica — it is my home and where my friends and family live.  I never wanted to live outside Jamaica. Rejecting scholarships hasn’t harmed my career. I’m performing much better than the Americans. 

You won the 100 and 200 metres gold with ease in Beijing setting world records in the process?
How far below can you take the world record? Have you set any specific targets?
In the 100m I was not really focused on the time — only winning.  In the 200m I did try to get the world record as I knew I was in good shape, the track was fast, the atmosphere and crowd were good, so I tried to take advantage of these conditions. I haven’t set any specific targets for near future as of yet. I’m still enjoying my Beijing success. 
 
What is your philosophy in life and how do you implement it in you day to day activity?
I like to have fun and help other people to have fun.

The Americans have been dominating the sprint events for decades. So how was the feeling like after you along with other Jamaican athletes broke their dominance? What are the reasons behind Jamaica’s success?
We have a good team at the moment in Jamaica and it is great for our country to do so well.  Success breeds success and we inspired each other in Beijing. I am sure the Americans and everyone else will be trying to come back at us next year in Berlin (in the World Championships).

Everyone know that you would have been a cricketer if you hadn’t opted for athletics? So who is your favourite cricketer and why?
They are Matthew Hayden andAndrew Flintoff. I like them for their aggressive nature they show on the field.

What have you done with your gold medals?
Everywhere I go people want to see them, so I have been showing them. I will probably put them in a bank when I go back to Jamaica.

What is the most important lesson you have learnt during your career as an athlete?
Success does not come overnight — you have to work hard to achieve your goals.

Now that the big bucks are flowing for you, what would you want to do with that money?
I have not thought about it yet but hope to buy a nice house, nice car and invest some money for the future.

Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay were coming off injury lay-off when you three clashed in Beijing… Who do you think will pose a great threat in future?
It was sad that they were not at their best in Beijing (Tyson Gay was coming of injury lay-off, while Asafa Powell once again cracked under pressure in major final). I’ve to be at my best this season, as those guys will come at me stronger than ever next year.