LONDON – Usain Bolt has confirmed he will not defend his 200 m title at the World Championships next year, informs AP.
“The workload I had leading up to the Olympics and even at the 2015 World Championships meant there was so much pressure and stress that it just wasn’t fun anymore,” Bolt, who won four straight World 200m titles in Berlin, Daegu, Masco and Beijing.
The world record holder at 19.19 continued: “But now that the pressure is gone I’m much more relaxed and happy to go to training because I know it’s not going to be so intense anymore.”
He also reiterated his belief that athletes caught doping should face a lifetime ban from the sport.
“I think they need to put in life bans, I think that’s the most important thing. Anyone who goes out of their way to cheat should be completely banned from the sport.”
He started with light training last week, but this week will spend in Europe with appearance at the IAAF Athletics Awards evening on Friday in Monaco.