Amidst scores of reporters, videographers, online bloggers and flashing cameras, track and field’s greatest superstar Usain Bolt at his final Olympic press conference answered a wide range of questions.
Bolt spoke candidly about his Olympic journey, plans for next year, challenging the world record, the future of the sport and the next chapter in his life.
On his original Olympic ambitions:
“When I went to Athens in 2004 I just went there and I didn’t go through from the first round. All I wanted to do was run the 200m and win an Olympic gold medal once. So to be the eight-time Olympic gold medallist is a big deal and I’ve worked hard to be the best.”
On his outstanding accomplishments:
“There are no words to explain. Eight time Olympic Champion.”
On being the greatest sprinter:
“I have proven to the world that I’m the greatest. That’s what I came here for and that’s what I’ve been doing. That is why it’s my last Olympics. I can’t prove anything else.”
On not breaking the 200m world record:
“I wanted to run a faster time but I knew it was going to be difficult to break the world record. My legs decided as I came off the corner that I wasn’t going to go any faster. I am happy that I got the gold medal.”
On how his feats compare to swimmer Michael PHELPS (USA):
“Swimming and track and field are totally different.”
On what he aims to do at the 2017 London World championships:
“I am definitely going to run the 100m and 4x100m (relay) in London (at the World Athletics Championships 2017). I know my coach will try to convince me to run the 200. We will see what happens.”
On what he will do when he retires:
“I want to stay in the sport; I want to stay around the sport. We will see what happens. Definitely not as a coach though. I don’t know what I am going to do, you just stress me out.”
On the future of the sport:
“The younger kids have definitely stepped up. (Andre) DE GRASSE (CAN) has been on the right track. I have made the sport exciting; I have made people want to see the sport. I have put the sport on a different level.”
On his thoughts as he crossed the finish line:
“I was saying goodbye. It’s my last individual event at the Olympics. In the relays you never know what will happen. So I just wanted to say goodbye.”
