KARACHI: Four-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt insists he is approaching closer to legendary status after defending his 100m title in startling style on Sunday.
Bolt has insisted he must win the 200m to secure Olympic legend status and he has told rival Yohan Blake that is what he intends to do.
He came into these Games saying he wanted “to become a legend,” and he certainly didn't hurt his cause Sunday night in a jam-packed, electrified Olympic Stadium crowd of 80,000. NBA stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant were present among the spectators to catch a glimpse of history.
The 25-year-old Jamaican won in an Olympic record time of 9.63 seconds and is already thinking about his next target at London 2012, which is the 200m.
“This gold means I am one step closer to being a legend so I'm working toward that,” he said. “That's just one step. I have the 200m to go, so I'm looking forward to that,” he added.
Bolt was beaten by training partner Yohan Blake in the 200m at the Jamaican trials in early July. Blake also beat him in the 100m but was forced to settle for silver at London 2012.
“There was a lot of people saying I wasn't going to win,” said Bolt. “There was a lot of talk. It was great feeling to come out here and show the world I'm still number one and still the best.”
Bolt's mark broke his Olympic record set in Beijing, 9.69, and was just .05 seconds off the world record of 9.58 he set at the 2009 world championships.
In one of the great 100 meters races of all time, Yohan Blake of Jamaica was second (9.75), and Justin Gatlin of the USA took the bronze (9.79). Tyson Gay of the USA was fourth (9.8).
Bolt said he planned to compete at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I hope I'm in Rio,” he said. “I'm going to be 30, but I hope I'm in great shape. Blake will be 26 so it should be interesting.”
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