Victory in Beijing was more challenging than Berlin: Usain Bolt

MUMBAI: It's fair to say that ever since he left his rivals and fans across the world gasping for breath with his stunning gold medal-inning treble at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, never has Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt gone into a race as an 'underdog'. Until the recently held World Athletics Championship that is. For that very reason, the flamboyant 29-year-old, reiterated in an exclusive interview to TOI, why his narrow 100 metre win over leading rival Justin Gatlin will rank as high as his world record run at the Berlin World championship six years ago.

"The world record in Berlin was different as I went into it fit and healthy and knowing I would run fast. Beijing was more challenging as I did not have many races to prepare and didn't know exactly how fast I could run," said Bolt who had returned to the iconic Bird's Nest, the stage which marked the start of his seven year-old legacy, on the back of a season hampered by a pelvic problem and uneven form.

While that had led to many casting doubts over his ability to outsprint Gatlin who had come into the championships in the form of his life, Bolt insisted his struggles were firmly behind him. "I was able to train fully after the London Diamond League meeting and I knew I was running fast in training," said Bolt who clinched gold ahead of Gatlin in 9.79 seconds last month.

Gatlin's chequered history as a two-time doping offender had prompted cynics to dub the contest between the two as a battle between 'Good versus Evil'. So did the 11-time world champion see it that way? "I just focus on myself and don't get caught up in what people are saying," he responded.

"My aim was to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m and I achieved this aim. Now I turn my attention to Rio and the Olympic Games," added Bolt who has confirmed he will not compete again for the rest of the year. "My big goal now is the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. It will be my last Olympics and I would like to go out in style."

Whether Gatlin remains a threat to Bolt's legacy come Rio remains to be seen, but the man himself refused to rule out the possibility of new contenders. "Every year throws up new challengers and I don't expect 2016 to be any different," Bolt said.

Bolt's latest exploits were seen as a massive boost for a sport struggling to free itself from doping controversy. Incoming IAAF president Sebastian Coe went to the extent of placing the Jamaican's accomplishments on the track alongside the legendary Muhammad Ali's contribution to boxing. "It is always a compliment to be compared to one of the great names in sport," Bolt said in reference to the compliment.

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