Usain Bolt is already calling himself a “living legend” after winning three golds in London last summer. Now he’s planning for the final stages of his career, and says the Rio Games will be his last.
“I think I have four more years left in the sport, so now it’s all about dominating for those four years,” Bolt told reporters Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to the next Olympics to do something that’s never been done before. That’s one of my biggest goals right now.
“And for the next four years I will try to dominate the sport and show people that it’s possible to go on being the best, year in, year out.”
Bolt will turn 30 just after competing in 2016 Games, and though it’s not impossible for him to continue getting better - Athens gold medalist Justin Gatlin was 30 the ran the fastest time of his career in London, winning bronze - Bolt has been looking to do more with his life since Beijing.
He’s hinted at a soccer career with Manchester United, though that seems unlikely. And apparently he’s an excellent cricket player, so that’s always an option. But for now, Bolt is focused on Rio, and more immediately on Rome, where he’ll face Gatlin at a Diamond League meet Thursday.
Gatlin has already run under 10-seconds in the 100m twice this season, including a wind-aided 9.88 last weekend in Eugene. Bolt’s fastest time this season is 10.09 at the Cayman Invite, his slowest in a finals since joining the senior circuit. But Bolt isn’t worried about Gatlin, or anyone else for that matter:
"[Gatlin has] proven this season he’s getting into great shape, but I don’t worry about other athletes. Only myself. One-off runs are not the main thing for me. I’m worried about doing my best at the championships.”
