That's how fast record-breaking Usain Bolt aims to run in 200m
Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt flirted with the idea of running 18 seconds in the 200 metres but reiterated that his immediate focus was to defend his sprint titles at the London Olympics.
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Bolt will travel back to Jamaica for Olympic trials on the back of a nail-biting victory over compatriot Asafa Powell in the 100m at the Oslo Diamond League meet on Thursday. Bolt screamed through the finish line in 9.79 seconds while Powell notching up his 77th sub-10sec 100m in 9.85sec.
The 25-year-old currently owns both sprint records after taking 19.19 seconds in the 200 metres and 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres at the Berlin World Championships three years ago.
Just a thought
“You can’t pinpoint the time but over the years, me and my coach (Glen Mills) have discussed 18 seconds, running under 19. It’s just a thought, we haven’t really said it’s possible that I could do it,” Bolt said.“If everything goes well, execution is right, you never know, it could be possible.u00a0“The record in the 200m is easier to lower because there’s a lot more room for improvement. “You can always execute the corner and the straight a little better so there’s always room to run fast over the 200m.”
Focus on 100m
Bolt is yet to debut in the 200 metres this season but is already the world leader in the 100 metres achieving a time of 9.72 in Rome last week.u00a0He pointed out that while the half-lap remained his pet event, the 100m title was still the most sought after in track and field. “I love my 200m and that’s what I always dreamed to be, the 200m champion, because that’s what I started out in,” Bolt explained. “But the 100m is the glory event and I definitely want to double.”u00a0