Usain Bolt is already making noise in Moscow for the world championships, but perhaps the most newsworthy items about the world’s fastest man over the weekend came from an interview in London.
Spanish sports newspaper Marca conducted a question-and-answer with Bolt and published it Sunday.
The reporter described the scene as he entered a hotel room to interview Bolt.
Here’s the play by play:
(Bolt) is talking to someone from Puma. “I don’t understand, I don’t understand”, he keeps saying repeatedly. The subject he can’t come to terms with is the decision by the London Legacy Development Corporation to let West Ham play at the Olympic Stadium from 2016 onwards. Bolt is angered by this move. “We’re talking about the Olympic Stadium here and West Ham is going to take it over?” “Money”, a third voice interjects.
Earlier this year, the English Premier League club West Ham United was approved as the new tenant for the 2012 Olympic Stadium. Bolt, a noted Manchester United fan, may have been dismayed that a club that finished in 10th place in the Premier League last season will play in the same building where he won three gold medals last year.
Bolt was reported to be included on the Manchester United roster to play a special testimonial match for long-time defender Rio Ferdinand the day before the 100-meter heats at the world championships. Bolt’s agent said that wasn’t going to happen, though.
Last week, Bolt was quoted in Sport magazine saying he’s hoping to meet new Manchester United manager David Moyes. Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired after United won the Premier League title last season. Bolt struck a friendship with Ferguson but has yet to meet Moyes.
“I’m waiting for Alex to put the meeting together, so he can let him know that Usain is pretty much part of the Manchester team, and he should just take care of him when it is time to go,” Bolt reportedly told the magazine. “Football is on the cards when I retire. Hopefully I can get a few charity matches in before then.”
The last question in the Marca Q&A was noteworthy, as well.
Q. Would you agree to have your blood frozen for 50 years to prove you are clean?
A. Sure. I do a lot of blood tests every season and that’d be no problem on my part. Definitely.
As for Bolt’s happenings in Moscow? He’s already enjoying himself, taking the microphone to rap and dance at a Puma party.
Bolt has said he hopes to get into physical shape to be able to break a world record in Moscow. That’s quite a lofty goal, given Bolt’s fastest times this year, 9.85 and 19.73, are well off his world records from the 2009 world championships, 9.58 and 19.19.
He’ll also be without top competition Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay, who are missing the meet due to injury and failed drug tests, respectively. If Bolt plans on getting near either of his records, he’ll likely have to do it with nobody pushing him. But that’s exactly how he did it in three of his four races at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 world championships, so who knows.
The 100 meters at the world championships begin with heats Saturday morning. Bolt is pre-qualified through to the next round later Saturday.
