Race for immortality: Bolt eyes world record in 200m
Usain Bolt eyes another world record as he goes for the 200m Olympic final
After winning the 100m at the Rio Olympics 2016 in historic fashion, Usain Bolt is aching to set another milestone, this time in the 200m.
Bolt believes he can set a new world record in the 200m and why not, he is the world’s fastest man after all.
He will go for another electrifying show in that event on Wednesday as he tries to nail the second of his unprecedented triple-triple target in his mission being dubbed as his race for immortality.
After the 100m and 200m, Bolt will also compete in the 4x100m relay, events he all won during the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 games.
In Rio, Bolt stormed to a third consecutive gold in the 100m last Monday to set the tone for his preparation in the 200m opening round a day later.
The Jamaican speed marvel is bent on shattering his 2009 world best of 19.19 seconds, confidently saying that a new record could be on the way in his next run.
“I think if I can get a good night’s rest after the semi-finals, it’s possible,” said Bolt. “I’m going to leave it all on the track and do the best I possibly can.”
He has repeatedly said he wants to be the first man to run under 19 seconds for the 200m.
But he will have his hands, err feet, full in Rio. His fastest time for the 200m this year is 19.89 seconds, set in London last month.
Four men produced faster times over the distance this season, with LaShawn Merritt of the United States leading with a best of 19.74 seconds, set at the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, last July 8.
American Justin Gatlin, silver medallist in the 100m, has the second fastest clocking of 19.75 seconds which he posted last month.
Bolt’s closest time to his 2009 record is the 19.32 seconds when he won the gold in the London Olympics four years ago.