DAEGU, South Korea, CMC – Jamaican sprint idol Usain Bolt has promised something special as he prepares for his first international 100 metres at the star-studded Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting here today.
The presence of the superstar, the biggest name in World athletics, has created a buzz around the event with fans and officials hoping the 23-year-old unleashes one of his trademark fast times.
Bolt, World record-holder in the 100 and 200 metres, assured the country he would be aiming to thrill as usual.
“That’s always my intention, to please the fans. Hopefully, it will be a very fast time,” said Bolt, who has clean swept the sprint events at the last Olympics in Beijing and the World Championships in Berlin.
It is the first time this year Bolt will line up in the straight sprint after opting not to run at the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha last weekend.
He is expected to easily eclipse the world-leading this year of 9.95 seconds set by American Ivory Williams but it will be left to the prodigy to determine just how fast he will run. The major challenge for Bolt might come from the elements as heavy rain is forecast for the south-eastern city.
He was quick to re-emphasise that only the sky was the limit when it came to posting fast times.
“My limit? No one knows their limit. I keep training hard and stay focused and work hard,” he said.
His field will hardly be a challenging one with Americans Travis Padgett and Mike Rodgers, and fellow Jamaican Michael Frater in the line up. Bolt’s Daegu outing will serve as a precursor to his Diamond League debut on Sunday in Shanghai.
Also on show today will be two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown who will be competing in the women’s 100m. The 28-year-old will face a strong challenge from Americans Carmelita Jeter, Gloria Asumnu and Marshevet Myers along with Bahamian Chandra Sturrup.
Barbadian World champion sprint hurdler Ryan Brathwaite will also be in action, clashing with Cuban superstar Dayron Robles, the reigning Olympic champion and World record holder.
Brathwaite won gold in Berlin last summer in a close finish with Robles missing and this will be a chance for the duo to reacquaint.
Another tight contest could be on the cards with American Terrence Trammell, David Oliver and David also down to race.
