Nigeria Content Online

Usain Bolt returns
to China, the scene of his Beijing 2008 break out, seeking to establish
a further mark as the leading sprinter on the planet.

After destroying
the field and breaking records aplenty, the Jamaican might be forgiven
for taking it easy, but that is not his plans. There are many
established sprinters like Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell who are itching
to be the first to beat the world record holder, as well as some
younger runners who have a thirst for his scalp.

He obviously
enjoyed the attention as he luxuriated in it on his return to China on
Friday, accompanied by former champion in the 110m hurdles, Liu Xiang,
who is trying to resuscitate his athletics career.

Bolt said at the
meeting: “I am loving it; this is where I burst out. I really enjoy the
crowd here; there is a lot of support.” Bolt won the 100 and 200 meters
gold at the Beijing Olympics in world record time and will start his
grand prix season officially in Shanghai. He will run in the 200m on
Sunday in the Diamond League’s second meet of the season.

At the press
conference, he was regaled by a first meeting with the Chinese
sprinter, which left Bolt giggling. The pair was asked if they could
remember when they first met, and Xiang recalled the 2005 World
Championships in Helsinki where he watched Bolt limp off the track
injured.

Setting new records

On Wednesday, Bolt
clocked a time of 9.86 seconds in Daegu, South Korea, easily defeating
compatriot, Michael Frater, with a time that was 0.28 slower than his
world record of 9.58s.

But he was still
sprightly after the race, saying he knows he will be beaten one day. “I
have said it before, I can be beaten. I really work hard not to be,” he
said, adding that a defeat could even make the sport more interesting.
“I take everybody seriously as long as you are in the lane beside me.”
Asked if he will be trying to break the 200m record, Bolt said: “I
don’t know how close I can get. I’ll try to run hard to execute, as I
always am keen to give my fans a good show. That’s always my aim,” he
concluded.

Bolt will be
running only the 200m in China. “I do enjoy going out and doing the
200m. I’ve heard good things about this track, I’ve been told it’s very
good, so if it is as good as they say, it should be a good time. I’m
just looking forward to going out there, and executing and coming out
injury free.”

Having started the
season like he ended the last one, he is just happy to be fresh and fit
for the outdoor season. “I’m definitely proud the way I’ve started out
my season in both events,” he said, though he conceded he still has
areas in his racing technique that have to be fine-tuned.

All that his competitors can pray for is to catch the record holder on his off day in Daegu today.