By Glen Andrews, World-Track
LONDON – Usain Bolt says it is gold medals and not world records he will chase at the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Berlin next month.
Major emphasis has been placed on the keen battle between Bolt and the reigning world sprint double champion Tyson Gay in both the 100m and 200m, with many predicting the possibility of a world record in either event.
But despite admitting he is conditioning himself for fast times in Berlin, Bolt said winning the gold medals will be his first priority.
"A lot of people want times but for me it’s all about winning championships," the Jamaican said.
The 22-year-old has been remarkable all year – blasting to world-class performances in dreadful conditions at virtually every meeting he attended.
He revealed that his last two performances of 19.59seconds over the 200m and 9.79seconds in the 100m, achieved in the most unfavourable conditions for any athlete, were accomplished with him only being "85-percent fit."
Weighing up his last couple of performances, the Olympic champion believes if he gets to where he wants to be, his own 100m world record could go in Berlin.
"If I get myself to where I want to be, I should be in good shape to break the world record in Berlin," the Times quoted the sprinter as saying.
Gay leads the world with a spanking 9.77second, two-hundredth of a second quicker than Bolt, but the Caribbean star is ready to lift his game.
"Tyson’s shown that he is ready to come at me," he said. "And I’m trying to get myself into shape so I am ready to compete with him."
But with the form Bolt’s current screening, the exciting 9.69secs world mark could fall before the worlds.
In his next race in London on Friday, the towering Jamaican races against a championship field that will also include countryman Asafa Powell, the former world record holder who is undefeated at this event.
