The world's fastest man can hardly wait to set foot in The Bahamas as he gears up for double delight at the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays. The IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 is set for May 2 and 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.
As for Usain Bolt, who was christened with his “Lightning Bolt” nickname by Bahamians during the 2002 CARIFTA Games in New Providence, where he won the under-17 boys 200 meters (m) in 21.12 seconds and the 400m in 47.33 seconds, he will return to The Bahamas for the first time since the 2005 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.
Back then, Bolt stood atop the medal podium again, winning the 200m in 20.03 seconds. This year however, the targets are much greater, and the 28-year-old who, building on his early success in the archipelago, has since established himself as the greatest sprinter of all-time with six Olympic gold medals, eight World Championships gold medals and three world records, is eager to prove that lightning can in fact strike at the same place three times.
With the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China fast approaching Bolt, who is looking to claim his third World Championships sprint double, knows very well that a good outing in The Bahamas will go a long way in preparing him for the task ahead. Right, so no piña coladas on the beach then?
"It's going to be serious business for me in The Bahamas. The harder I run the better I'll get over the races so I have to run hard to get my body used to competing and running hard and just to get into race sharpness," Bolt said. "I need to get into race sharpness so when I go on the circuit I’m at the best and that’s the main focus."
Bolt, who recently ran a 20.20 seconds 200m at a meet in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica, said that he is hoping to run in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays at the May 2-3 world relays.
"I haven't discussed it with my coach as yet but I would personally want to do the 4x100m and 4x200m just to get runs under my belt to get some sharpness," Bolt said.
The sprinter said he is determined to protect his legacy as he enters his final three seasons.
"I talk to the coach over the years; we talk about motivation and what I need to focus on and on what motivates me, and he said one of the things that I should use is to remember that people don't remember what you do in the past, it’s all about the present, so I need to focus on defending my legacy and ensure that's intact when I'm finished running," Bolt said. "He always says I should make sure if I'm not going to put my all in it, I shouldn't do it. He said from the start that if I'm not in good shape he will not go to Beijing with me so I have to make sure I'm in great shape," Bolt laughed.
With Bolt announcing his intention to run at the world relays, ticket sales for the event have skyrocketed. Tickets are still available, but are disappearing rapidly. Tickets can be obtained online at www.bahamasworldrelays.org or at the box office at the national stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
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