RIO DE JANEIRO, Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt says he’s in 9.60 seconds shape and has warned his American rivals that they will feel his “full wrath” at Rio 2016 later this month.
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Bolt, who is hunting an unprecedented third successive Olympic Games treble, has shaken off a minor hamstring injury and is ready to defend his titles in Rio de Janeiro.
The world record holder who arrived in the Olympic Village with his Jamaican teammates on Wednesday, is again buzzing with confidence and he has warned his rivals that his condition is a lot better than last year when he landed the World Championships sprint double in Beijing.
Bolt could even be ready to take down his own Olympic record of 9.63 seconds in the 100m, which was set at the London Games in 2012.
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“I’m feeling much more confident now,” the 29-year-old sprint legend told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.
“I’m much more comfortable with where I’m at.”
He stopped short of predicting the times he would run in Rio de Janeiro, but revealed that he’s in very good shape.
“I never try to predict times, because you never know what will happen,” Bolt added.
“But for me the shape I’m in, I’ll say I’m in much better shape, so I think 9.6 seconds definitely.”
Such statement could send chills down the spine of his rivals, especially the Americans, who Bolt says need to start learning to not irritate him ahead of major championships.
“Yes definitely, I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you,” Bolt said.
“It’s one of those things, but I’m looking forward to it, should be exciting and they will feel my full wrath as always.”
The six-time Olympic gold medallist recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained at the Jamaica Trials last month, which was evident when he flashed to 19.89 seconds to win his season debut over 200m in London, two weeks ago and proved his fitness to the Jamaica selection panel.
