News Americas, Brussels, Thurs. Sept. 5, 2013: Usain Bolt may hang up his spikes after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the top athlete confirmed this week.
The Jamaican-born Bolt, 27, the world’s fastest man, said at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, ahead of Friday’s Diamond League meeting, that he is mulling going out on top and retiring after Rio.
Bolt hold the world’s fastest records in both the 100-m and 200-m and has won six Olympic golds and eight world championship golds.
“I’ve made up my mind that if I want to be among the greats of Ali, Pelé and all these guys I have to continue dominating until I retire. I’m really focused on getting every season correct, trying not to get injured, and just continue dominating so at the end of my career people will put me among the greats,” he said.
Meanwhile, the top athlete laughed off Ben Johnson’s suggestion from last week that the disgraced Canadian could have beaten him, had they been running at the same time.
“Everybody says everything to get into the media and stir up a little bit, but he could never beat me,” Bolt said. “That’s just him trying to get some attention. I don’t see Ben Johnson beating me at any time.”
Bolt will race on September 6th in Brussells in the 100m, which is not a Diamond League event this year but will be almost a repeat of the IAAF World Championships last month with the USA’s silver medalist and 2013 Diamond Race winner Justin Gatlinand four other Moscow finalists on the start line.
