Usain Bolt confirms retirement after Rio Olympics
Usain Bolt has decided to hang up his boots after the upcoming Rio Olympics in August this year. The Jamaican, who already holds the world record in both the 100 and 200 meters sprints, is now looking to achieve a sub-19 second timing in the 200 meters but feels the next Olympics is too far away.
The fastest man on the planet added that this being his last Olympics could just provide him the right motivation. “It'll definitely be my last Olympics," Bolt said.
"It's going to be hard to go four more years for me, to keep the motivation that I want, especially if I accomplish what I want to in Rio. It's going to be hard to keep the motivation to go on for four more years so it'll definitely be my last one,” added the 29-year old, reported ABC.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist had, only in January of this year, hinted that he would continue to compete until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Xinhua reported. The sudden decision has sent shock waves through the huge number of admirers Bolt has amassed over the years. Apart from his exploits on the field, Bolt has continued to be one of the most respected athletes in the world after multiple record-holders have been tarnished by the shadows of doping over the years.
"My biggest dream at the Olympics is to win three gold medals again. that is my focus, that is what I want. And that is what I am aiming for because that is my goal and that is my dream," Bolt said.
Having achieved almost everything achievable in the field of athletics, Bolt said he still has an unfulfilled dream. "I've said the only big thing, big time I want to run is the 200 metres. I'd love to try to go sub-19. That's the only thing I would really, really want because that's one of my goals. I've always talked about and always wanted it so for me, that's something I look forward to," concluded the Jamaican, who already holds the 19.19 second record set back in 2009 at Berlin.