Four-time Olympic medalist and current broadcast analyst Ato Boldon takes on one of the most talked about global sports figures for today’s “The Inside Track” guest column: Usain Bolt. Boldon discusses the impact his fellow Caribbean sprinter has had on the sport and what it has meant to see Bolt rise to the top.
“The Inside Track” is a six-part guest columnist series that will serve as a prelude to the adidas Grand Prix on Saturday, June 12, at Icahn Stadium in New York City.
Boldon, who will serve as the sprint broadcast analyst for NBC’s live coverage of the adidas Grand Prix, points to Bolt’s carefree approach to racing as one of the keys to his success: “Post-race posing is something track fans have been used to for years. Bolt has introduced the world to pre-race posturing, and yet, somehow has not alienated or irritated track and field fans or all of his competitors.”
He says Bolt’s attitude—in addition to the fact that his rise to greatness can be traced throughout his youth—as evidence for why Bolt’s performances should not be looked at through “dirty-urine-tinted glasses:” “In my days as an athlete, I competed against most of the sprinters who turned up guilty of doping in the last decade. All had one thing in common: a seeming lack of real joy in competing. Bolt is the exact opposite.”
Curious to know how fast the experts think Bolt will go? Boldon gives his predictions.
To view the complete text, click here. Or to join in the discussion about this and other athletics topics, visit the adidas Grand Prix pages on Facebook and Twitter.
as far a i am concerned ato boldon has zero credibilty , back in 2008 when bolt ran 9.76 he was not impressed , then he broke the world record in defeating tyson gay and he still was not impressed, , i emailed him after his 9.76 and told him bolt would win the gold medal in the 100 metres in beijing, he dimisssed me , then the thrashing of gay and the world record , i emailed him jamaica would finish 1,2, in the 100 metres , he said i was insane and that i was waving a caribbean flag and that bolt had zero experience. i respect everyone,s opinion after all i was just giving mine, but what i didnt like was his general attitude and disrespectful way he wrote to me, this guy is arrogant and thinks he knows it all.
a so me say too make him gway im sorry you beat me to it unu i cant stand him i wonder how you can stomach being his friend he is so arrogant him talk from 2 side of him mouth
miinie after those emails i stopped emailing him i was so upset , his last couple emails to me i just deleted without even reading it.
you no easy unu walter you cold bad but him frowsy bad i dont know where his head space is at all
Minnie, will you please write UNDERSTANDABLE english?? 😀
i would recommend the fireman song for ato. badmind a go kill them, a so the trini them stay them just badmind
Ato you should check that final again
Johan Blake should have been tossed.
He flinched first before Bolt take a look