RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Olympic Games 400m champion, Kirani James, has backed Usain Bolt to retain his sprint double.
Bolt would become the first man in history to win three straight Olympic Games 100m/200m double. He first tasted historic glory in Beijing 2008, when he ran 9.69 and 19.30, both world records at the time. He lowered both times to 9.58 and 19.19 at the World Championships in 2009.
He defended both titles in London 2012.
However, because of the super star’s limited outings this season, James believes based on history, he cannot bet against a proven performer.
“I think Bolt will win both events,” said James of the man, who shocked many doubters last year to win the World Championships 100m title.
Bolt had only three 100m races going into the 2015 Beijing World Championships, but dismissed American, Justin Gatlin, to take the title.
“He (Bolt) is a championship performer, I think that’s what he lives for, he loves the crowd, loves the stage, so I have him as the favourite for both events,” added James, who won the London 2012 400m title.
I’d thought last year’s WCs would have been the defining event for sprinting greatness, as well as talent over dopers. I would love for Bolt’s agent, manager or coaches to take a stand and publicly denounce Gatlin. I’d also love for them to publicly tell him to stop linking his name to Bolt’s. Gatlin cannot win on merit, he has to cheat. He’d also get almost no press coverage without sticking Bolt’s name into every sentence he utters. For him to say that he and Bolt are the faces of T&F would be laughable if it weren’t so despicable. He’s nothing but the face of everything that is wrong in the sport and with the IOC.
Proof read your article before you send it…Bolt did not break his world records in the 2012 Olympics those times published were in the world champs, however he did break the Olympic record in the 10pm in 2012