Can Usain Bolt break his 200m world record?
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Updated 18/08/2016 at 10:10 GMT
Usain Bolt admitted to being surprised by Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse's final burst of speed in Wednesday's Olympic 200 metres semi-final.
Andre De Grasse (CAN) of Canada, Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica and Salem Eid Yaqoob (BRN) of Bahrain compete.
Image credit: Eurosport
The Jamaican seven-times gold medallist exchanged friendly smiles with first-time Olympian De Grasse as they charged towards the line to finish the heat in 19.78 and 19.8 seconds respectively.
"He was supposed to slow down. I said 'What are you doing, it's a semi-final?' But I think he wanted to push me. I was a bit lazy but I got round," said Bolt, who is aiming to win his third triple batch of Olympic gold medals in Rio.
"I saw that he got a national record actually, so he means business," said the Jamaican, who turns 30 on Sunday, the final day of what he has said will be his last Olympics.
It would be the first time in history a runner has collected the "triple-triple", a goal so audacious that no athlete even attempted it before Bolt, who won the 100m on Sunday and told reporters he might be able to beat his world record time of 19.19 seconds in the 200m final on Thursday.
"I definitely think I can try for the world record, I definitely feel that," Bolt said. "I need to run efficiently and get into the straight and run the perfect race."
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Usain Bolt seeks inspiration.
Image credit: Eurosport
But several factors would have to fall in to place for that to happen, he said, including a draw of the sixth or seventh lanes, to take advantage of the more gradual curve on the outside of the track.
One of Bolt's main rivals, American Justin Gatlin, who took silver in the 100m, will not be in the race on Thursday. The 34-year-old was being eliminated by a third-place 20.13 in his heat.
"I wasn't truly surprised, I thought he actually made it but I could tell from the 100m he was slowing down," Bolt said.
FASTEST 200M TIMES OF ALL TIME
- 1 19.19 Usain Bolt (JAM) Berlin 20.08.2009
- 2 19.26 Yohan Blake (JAM) Brussels 16.09.2011
- 3 19.30 Usain Bolt (JAM) Beijing 20.08.2008
- 4 19.32 Michael Johnson (USA) Atlanta 01.08.1996
- 4 19.32 Usain Bolt (JAM) London 09.08.2012
- 6 19.40 Usain Bolt (JAM) Daegu 03.09.2011
- 7 19.44 Yohan Blake (JAM) London 09.08.2012
- 8 19.53 Walter Dix (USA) Brussels 16.09.2011
- 9 19.54 Yohan Blake (JAM) Brussels 07.09.2012
- 10 19.55 Usain Bolt (JAM) Beijing 27.08.2015
- 11 19.56 Usain Bolt (JAM) Kingston 01.05.2010
- 12 19.57 Usain Bolt (JAM) Brussels 04.09.2009
- 12 19.57 Justin Gatlin (USA) Eugene .06.2015
- 14 19.58 Tyson Gay (USA) New York City 30.05.2009
- 14 19.58 Usain Bolt (JAM) Lausanne 23.08.2012
- 16 19.59 Usain Bolt (USA) Lausanne 07.07.2009
- 17 19.62 Tyson Gay (USA) Indianapolis 24.06.2007
- 18 19.63 Xavier Carter (USA) Lausanne 11.07.2006
- 18 19.63 Usain Bolt (JAM) Lausanne 02.09.2008
- 20 19.65 Wallace Spearmon (USA) Daegu 28.09.2006
Overall, the ebullient sprinter remained his upbeat self as he joked with reporters.
"I'm happy, you know what I mean? But I don't get over-confident," said Bolt, who has said this will be his final Olympics.
"I remember that I still have to run and execute right, so I'm focused on getting it done."
Additional reporting by Reuters
OUR VIEW - Can he break the world record?
Bolt is the world record holder over this distance, and has also set 10 out of the 20 fastest times in history over the distance. Yohan Blake clocked the second fastest time of 19.26sec, but that was five years ago before he was left hamstrung by a series of injuries. A shadow of his former self, Bolt's compatriot won't be around for the final after traipsing home sixth in his semi-final heat with a time of 20.37sec.
Similarly, Justin Gatlin clocked 19:57sec 14 months ago, but he has not qualified for the final and it would not matter much if he had: such a time is hardly going to impact upon Bolt if he is serious about making an assault on the mark he set in Berlin seven years ago.
He recorded 19.78sec which was the fastest time in the semi-finals while appearing to have time to exchange smiles with Andre De Grasse (19.80sec) as he sauntered over the line. LaShawn Merritt came up with 19.94sec, but that would be deemed to be painfully sluggish in the final. Not that those times mean anything with Bolt certain to unearth his fastest time of the season if he dashes to gold.
The Jamaican showman has also spoken about being the first man in history to dip under 19 seconds, but considering his previous quickest time of 19.32sec was set when winning the 200m at London 2012 since breaking the world record, he will probably have to be content with the gold minus any new record.
Yet if any figure in the world of sport can deliver the unexpected, it is more certainly Bolt. People will watch across the globe just in case.
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