- It is an emotional season for Usain Bolt.
- Bolt wants to enjoy every minute of his final season.
- Bolt was literally shocked that Justin Gatlin won the US national championships at the age of 35.
Internet Desk: Jamaica’s star sprinter Usain Bolt said the current “emotional” season will his last and he will hang his boots at the end of the season.
Bolt, who has already won eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world gold medals in his prolonged career has been regarded as one of the best athletes in the history of athletics.
Asked whether he might carry on after this season, Bolt said: “No, I don’t think so!
“It’s just been a great career, I’ve really enjoyed the ups and downs, all the experience I’ve gathered, all I’ve been through, the happiness and the sadness.
“It’s been a wonderful career and I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do and it’s coming to an end and I’m fine with it.”
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s IAAF World Challenge meet in the northeastern Czech city of Ostrava, Bolt admitted that the season was an emotional one.
“It’s an emotional season. I’m looking forward to going out there and putting on a show for the fans for the last time because they look forward to it,” said Bolt.
“Right now personally, I’m just focused on getting through the season. I just like entertaining the crowd. I definitely want to try and enjoy every minute of it – it won’t be the same sat in the stadium.
“The fact that I know it’s that last time it will be emotional, just seeing it and feeling, being around people and athletes, sitting in the meal room around everybody, joking and laughing about old times, it’ll be emotional.”
Bolt, 30, confirmed that he won’t be running in the 200m in London, but left the door open to a further finale being added to his fixture.
“For sure I won’t be running the 200m” at the worlds, he said. “People keep asking, but no.”
Turning to any possible events after London, he said: “I’ve discussed with my coach (Glen Mills) what he thinks I should do, whether I end my season after the world championships, we haven’t fully made up our mind on what we’re doing yet.
“We’ll see what happens, I’m not worrying about that until the world championships or at least getting close to it.”
One of his potential rivals in London will be former doping cheat Justin Gatlin, who has maintained his late bloom, last week winning the US national championships at the age of 35.
“I was shocked he actually won, just because how quick young kids were running,” said Bolt, 30.
“As older athletes in the sport, we have a lot of experience and know how to go through the rounds.
“But I was kind of shocked he came out victorious. It shows that Justin Gatlin is a competitor and he shows year after year that he is not to be taken lightly. I’m looking forward to competition, always.”