It's impossible to write off a man who had overcome injury worries four years ago in London Olympics to defend the three titles he famously won at the Beijing Games in 2008 and one who hasn't lost a major race in eight years
The greatest sprinter in history is chasing an unprecedented 'three-peat' at the Rio Olympic Games
Published: Fri 15 Jul 2016, 3:31 PM
Last updated: Sat 16 Jul 2016, 12:25 AM
What I always wanted was to be great," Usain Bolt said in a recent interview with the Daily Telegraph. "For me, it means being remembered. People talk about sports all the time, and I want to be a part of that conversation, you know what I mean? When they talk about greats it's always Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé. I want to be a part of that conversation so when they talk about the greats they say Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé, Usain Bolt.' Don't people say that already?
"Yeah, but I'm still running. I'm still fresh in their mind. I want that when I retire I'm so great that you can't forget me, because you can never forget what Ali and all these guys have done. They have really stamped their mark on history. That's what I want to do, and I think this Olympics will help me to do that. People tell me, you're a legend. Yeah, but this Olympics will do it."
Bolt, the fastest man ever to have walked on earth, is obviously chasing the unprecedented 'three-peat' at the Rio Olympic Games. But it could take a herculean effort from the Jamaican. The six-time gold medallist is battling a hamstring injury and unless he gains complete fitness by the time track of field events start in Rio, it will be tough for him to stop his opponents from taking his titles .
But then it's impossible to write off a man who had overcome injury worries four years ago in London Olympics to defend the three titles he famously won at the Beijing Games in 2008 and one who hasn't lost a major race in eight years.
Of course, it all started at the Bird's Nest in 2008.
In the 100m final in Beijing, Bolt broke new ground by taking the gold with a timing of 9.69s, breaking his own world record.
And this was done without a favourable wind! Remarkably, Bolt slowed down to celebrate before he finished, leading many to predict that he would have clocked a much better time if he had kept his pace. That stunning run made him a superstar overnight and he hasn't looked back since.
Now, the 29-year-old superstar knows Rio could be the last Olympics of his career. And he would be hoping to go out in style.
Of course, the sport needs another superlative run from the man. At a time when doping scandals have tarnished the image of athletics, another epic show from the man could help athletics revive its glory.
"I was made to inspire people and to run, and I was given the gift and that's what I do," he had once said.
"I am confident in myself and my team, the people I work with. And I know I am clean. So I'm just going to continue running, using my talent and just trying to improve the sport."
The sport definitely owes a lot to Usain Bolt.
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 30: Michael Phelps of the United States competes in a heat for the Men's 200 Meter Individual Medley during Day Five of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
Portrait pris le 29 octobre 1969 de Philip Noel Baker, homme politique et diplomate anglais (1889-1982). Secrétaire à la Société des Nations (SDN) dans les années 20, puis conseiller de Fridtjof Nansen (Prix Nobel en 1924) dans son travail au service des réfugiés, il est élu en 1929 comme député travailliste ce qui l'amène à devenir secrétaire particulier du Secrétaire des affaires étrangères Arthur Henderson (Prix Nobel en 1934) qui dirige alors la Conférence du désarmement. Membre du gouvernement, il s'occupe des négociations délicates, comme celles de l'indépendance de l'Inde ou du cas de l'Irlande.Engagé dans la construction de l'ONU, il exerce dans des organismes spécialisés, comme la FAO, l'UNRRA, l'OIR et l'OMS. Il obtient le prix Nobel de la Paix en 1959./ AFP PHOTO / STAFF
(From L) Britain's Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, London Mayor Ken Livingstone and London 2012 organising committee chief Sebastian Coe talk after the launch of the brand for the 2012 Olympics and Para-olympics at the Roundhouse in London, 04 June 2007. Organisers hope the logo, designed to be instantly recognisable worldwide, will help boost its campaign to raise two billion pounds (three billion euros) to stay the Games. The budget for the 2012 Olympics has soared to 9.3 billion pounds (18.6 billion dollars, 13.7 billion euros), nearly four times more than the first projections of how much it would cost to stage the Games in London. AFP PHOTO/SHAUN CURRY / AFP PHOTO / SHAUN CURRY
Jamaica's Usain Bolt (R) races ahead of France's Jimmy Vicaut (L) to win for the Jamaican team the final of the men's 4x100 metres relay athletics event at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing on August 29, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE / AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 24: Clara Hughes of Canada celebrates winning the bronze medal in Ladies 5000m Speed Skating final during the medal ceremony on day 13 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at BC Place on February 24, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP