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Brilliant Bolt: Beijing to Berlin
Published: Thursday | August 27, 2009
Devon Dick
FROM THE 2008 Beijing Olympics to the recent 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Usain Bolt has been absolutely brilliant, collecting three gold medals in each championship with five world records and one championship record.
Brilliant Bolt holds the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds which is 0.13 seconds faster than the next best performance. Amazingly, Bolt took 41 strides to run 100m while it took Tyson Gay 441/2 strides. In addition, Bolt was the first to react out of the blocks in both the 100m and 200m. Bolt ran a world record in 200m on the eighth race within six days and the record is 0.14 seconds better than the time of the next best human. Bolt, in winning three gold medals, won more gold medals than the host country Germany, Great Britain and Australia. Usain Bolt has now had the most outstanding performances from Beijing to Berlin.
But Bolt's brilliance is not confined only to his awesome performances on the track but also what he does off the field. His interviews have been excellent including the IAAF press conference, which was carried by KLAS FM. Bolt is not relaxing on his laurels, but has set his sights on being a track legend. By doing that he is motivating himself to greater heights. He wants to successfully defend his Olympic and World titles. He perhaps wants to leave the sport with the most Olympic and Championship titles. He apparently has in his sights the greats - Michael Johnson, American track star, and Serhiy Bubka, Russian pole vaulting legend, who have more medals than he. It is good that he is focused on a goal and he proudly states it. That is the mark of a confident achiever.
In addition, Bolt is very astute and objective in stating that his 200m world record race in Berlin had technical faults. He knows his craft and assesses himself perfectly.
Knighthood
At the interview, Bolt was in control of the international media. He clarified that he did not say he would run 9.4 seconds or that he was requesting the knighthood from England.
Bolt is also brilliant because he is himself. He celebrates in his own inimical style. He prepares for his race his way and he focuses when it is show time and breaks records on the biggest stages.
Bolt displays further brilliance by bringing out the best in others. A nuh me sey suh, but the great Asafa Powell said that. Powell claims that Bolt brought out the best in his relay teammates. In addition, Powell claimed that Bolt has helped him to relax and that led Powell to produce his season's best in his fourth race to win the bronze medal. This is the first time Powell has produced his season's best in a final round race. Bolt, although being the fastest man in the world, is not in any cass cass with Powell over the anchor leg on the 4X100m relay.
Unbeatable
Bolt also reminds the world that he can be beaten and after a defeat he will bounce back. He is getting into his psyche that he is not unbeatable. He is psyching up himself for the day he is beaten.
Bolt has also repeated his dislike for the 400m and while being respectful to his coach, Glen Mills, he states that Mills would have to give him a good reason for him to run the 400m. Bolt has no need to run the 400m. To what end? I hope Bolt concentrates on the 100m and 200m, which are the premium races.
Bolt has his head in the right place and God willing, there is more brilliance to come.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church. He may be reached at columns@gleanerjm.com.
Published: Thursday | August 27, 2009
Devon Dick
FROM THE 2008 Beijing Olympics to the recent 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Usain Bolt has been absolutely brilliant, collecting three gold medals in each championship with five world records and one championship record.
Brilliant Bolt holds the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds which is 0.13 seconds faster than the next best performance. Amazingly, Bolt took 41 strides to run 100m while it took Tyson Gay 441/2 strides. In addition, Bolt was the first to react out of the blocks in both the 100m and 200m. Bolt ran a world record in 200m on the eighth race within six days and the record is 0.14 seconds better than the time of the next best human. Bolt, in winning three gold medals, won more gold medals than the host country Germany, Great Britain and Australia. Usain Bolt has now had the most outstanding performances from Beijing to Berlin.
But Bolt's brilliance is not confined only to his awesome performances on the track but also what he does off the field. His interviews have been excellent including the IAAF press conference, which was carried by KLAS FM. Bolt is not relaxing on his laurels, but has set his sights on being a track legend. By doing that he is motivating himself to greater heights. He wants to successfully defend his Olympic and World titles. He perhaps wants to leave the sport with the most Olympic and Championship titles. He apparently has in his sights the greats - Michael Johnson, American track star, and Serhiy Bubka, Russian pole vaulting legend, who have more medals than he. It is good that he is focused on a goal and he proudly states it. That is the mark of a confident achiever.
In addition, Bolt is very astute and objective in stating that his 200m world record race in Berlin had technical faults. He knows his craft and assesses himself perfectly.
Knighthood
At the interview, Bolt was in control of the international media. He clarified that he did not say he would run 9.4 seconds or that he was requesting the knighthood from England.
Bolt is also brilliant because he is himself. He celebrates in his own inimical style. He prepares for his race his way and he focuses when it is show time and breaks records on the biggest stages.
Bolt displays further brilliance by bringing out the best in others. A nuh me sey suh, but the great Asafa Powell said that. Powell claims that Bolt brought out the best in his relay teammates. In addition, Powell claimed that Bolt has helped him to relax and that led Powell to produce his season's best in his fourth race to win the bronze medal. This is the first time Powell has produced his season's best in a final round race. Bolt, although being the fastest man in the world, is not in any cass cass with Powell over the anchor leg on the 4X100m relay.
Unbeatable
Bolt also reminds the world that he can be beaten and after a defeat he will bounce back. He is getting into his psyche that he is not unbeatable. He is psyching up himself for the day he is beaten.
Bolt has also repeated his dislike for the 400m and while being respectful to his coach, Glen Mills, he states that Mills would have to give him a good reason for him to run the 400m. Bolt has no need to run the 400m. To what end? I hope Bolt concentrates on the 100m and 200m, which are the premium races.
Bolt has his head in the right place and God willing, there is more brilliance to come.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church. He may be reached at columns@gleanerjm.com.
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