Bolt plans to run 100 and 200 in Rio

G-Money

Aiming to defend both titles in 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/19872027

walshb

G-Money wrote: »

Aiming to defend both titles in 2016.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/19872027

A major ask. He sure is capable, but a lot can happen in 4 years. He will be close on 30 by then, so not at all like 2008-2012. I wonder will any 17/18/19 year old somewhere in the world come along and smash him? Blake will be what, 26 or so? I wonder will he develop and improve more, or has he hit his peak? Next year's WCs, and particularly 2015s WCs, will be some barometer.

token56

It will be very interesting to see but I'm sort of disappointed. Would have liked to see him give the 400 a proper go and see what he could achieve.

lorrieq

Nobody's going to beat him.

TFBubendorfer

lorrieq wrote: »

Nobody's going to beat him.

Do you want to put money on that?

If he wins in Rio he will not only be the fastest but also the longest-lasting sprinter in history (lasting at the very top, that is. I know there were a couple that hung around long enough).

shels4ever

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Do you want to put money on that?

If he wins in Rio he will not only be the fastest but also the longest-lasting sprinter in history (lasting at the very top, that is. I know there were a couple that hung around long enough).

Tell that to Merlene Ottey

Pisco Sour

shels4ever wrote: »

Tell that to Merlene Ottey

Tbf being the 4th best sprinter in Slovenia is not exactly the "very top" now is it!

shels4ever

Pisco Sour wrote: »

Tbf being the 4th best sprinter in Slovenia is not exactly the "very top" now is it!

@ 52 and still going to euros....

Pherekydes

Pisco Sour wrote: »

Tbf being the 4th best sprinter in Slovenia is not exactly the "very top" now is it!

Ottey medalled at the 1980 games and at the 2000 games. That's 20 years at the top. Bolt won his first global medal in 2007, so he's a long way to go!

TFBubendorfer

Pherekydes wrote: »

Ottey medalled at the 1980 games and at the 2000 games. That's 20 years at the top. Bolt won his first global medal in 2007, so he's a long way to go!

That's amazing, but by "at the very top" I clearly meant gold medals - after all, that's what Bolt is aiming for.

YFlyer

Carl Lewis medalled over a 10 year period in sprinting.

Brianderunner

A little disappointed for sure. But Bolt vs Blake vs A.N. other up and coming star will be the highlight of Rio 2016 for sure.

I still hopes he does a 400m leg in a 4 x 4 at a worlds or something just so we can see what he might have done.

myflipflops

IAAF breathes a massive sigh of relief.

The casual media, sponsors and once every 2/4 years fan would be tuning out without Bolt. The sport needs him until it develops some other stars.

TFBubendorfer

YFlyer wrote: »

Carl Lewis medalled over a 10 year period in sprinting.

Yes, but again, he won Olympic gold over 100 meters "only" in 1984 and 1988 and over 200 only in 1984.

He had Gold medals in 4 Olympics, which is mind blowing, but that includes relay and the long jump.

So I'll say it again:

If Bold wins gold again in 2016 in either the 100 or 200 it would be absolutely unprecedented.

Pherekydes

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Yes, but again, he won Olympic gold over 100 meters "only" in 1984 and 1988 and over 200 only in 1984.

He had Gold medals in 4 Olympics, which is mind blowing, but that includes relay and the long jump.

So I'll say it again:

If Bold wins gold again in 2016 in either the 100 or 200 it would be absolutely unprecedented.

What he's done is already unprecedented. He's the first to successfully defend his 200m crown, the first to successfully defend the sprint double and only the second to win back-to-back 100m titles.

Lewis and Al Oerter have four straight wins in one event. It's a bit churlish to claim that Lewis was not at the very top while he was winning four straight gold medals in the long jump.

Pisco Sour

Pherekydes wrote: »

What he's done is already unprecedented. He's the first to successfully defend his 200m crown, the first to successfully defend the sprint double and only the second to win back-to-back 100m titles.

Lewis and Al Oerter have four straight wins in one event. It's a bit churlish to claim that Lewis was not at the very top while he was winning four straight gold medals in the long jump.

Don't forget Edwin Moses. Gold in 1976, Gold in 1984. Missed out on a certain gold in 1980 due to boycott and went 122 consecutive races over the event without defeat between 1976-1987. In my eyes possibly the greatest athlete of all time. Bolt still has a bit to go to match that level of dominance.

M cebee

colin jackson is up there for consistency in sprint hurdles anyhow

87 wc bronze
99 wc gold
2002 european champ

depends on injuries really. he's only 26. I see him going for another 2 Olympics at least, maybe even 3. What events he will do in 2020 is another question. Like others it would be cool to see him do the 400m and even maybe the long jump. To hold the world record simultaneously for 100m, 200m and 400m would be unreal! What else is he going to do afterwards - 50 years to be retired living on memories, doing some commentating here and there so might as well stick at it!

TFBubendorfer

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

... but also the longest-lasting sprinter in history ...

Pherekydes wrote: »

It's a bit churlish to claim that Lewis was not at the very top while he was winning four straight gold medals in the long jump.

Look. I said sprinter. Not athlete. Sprinter. Don't call me churlish when you can't be bothered to read properly.

walshb

Is TFBubendorfer speaking Chinese? I get exactly what he is saying. He was very specific. Not sure what Lewis or Moses or Ottey have to do with Bolt and an attempt at 3 consecutive 100 and 200 golds. In sprinting that is the GOAT. Already he is unprecedented in terms of Olympic sprinting. The only one to do the double/double; or the double/triple.

Pherekydes

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Look. I said sprinter. Not athlete. Sprinter. Don't call me churlish when you can't be bothered to read properly.

Carl Lewis wasn't a sprinter?

TFBubendorfer

Pherekydes wrote: »

Carl Lewis wasn't a sprinter?

You are taking the p*ss now, aren't you?

walshb

Pherekydes wrote: »

Carl Lewis wasn't a sprinter?

He was, but when you bring in the long jump then that alters the whole point!