Usain Bolt Draws Inspiration From the NBASubmitted by admin on October 6, 2008 - 10:10am |
While the world was watching, Bolt thought he was wrongly depicted in the media and by other critics on his final strides to the finish line. As he chest thumped and slowed down at the end of the 100 meters final in China, he didn’t consider it as showing off. “People be saying different stuff, but it doesn’t really matter, because this is what I do. I enjoy doing that. People have no problem with it, because they said it shows just how much it means to me.”
His finish in the 100 meters, created controversy amongst viewers, competitors and critics, but Bolt felt “I’m just showing how I am.” Immediately after the Olympics in Beijing, Bolt was back on the World Athletics Tour, winning the 100 meters in 9.83 seconds at the Golden League in Zurich, Switzerland.
In early September, at the Golden League race in Belgium, it was a Jamaican sweep in the 100 meters, as Bolt again the winner, with a time of 9.77 seconds, and close rival Asafa Powell came in second, with Nesta Carter and Michael Frater, third and fourth respectively.
In the past, American athletes dominated men and women’s track, especially in the sprint events. Now, after their arrival in Beijing, Bolt and his fellow Jamaicans have moved into the front seat. “Like I said man, we feel so good cos we work so hard to be so good at what we do. It’s like a passion for us. We wanted to do good and we did good, so we’re happy with ourselves and continue to make our country proud,” Bolt said.
Among his fellow Jamaicans, Bolt has a healthy rivalry with fellow sprinter and opponent Powell. In the past Powell was the well known sprinter out of Jamaica. This season Powell plays second fiddle to the rising and lightning fast Bolt, something that would only affect their friendship. “Definitely, it’s going to get worse over the years to come, because we both want to win each other, so we’re going to training hard to beat each other,” Bolt said.
With Grand Prix and Super League races after the Olympics, Powell won in most races Bolt did not participate in. As much as they congratulate the winner after a race, they are from Jamaica and are still opponents looking to get better. “We’re still good friends, we keep it friendly, but when we are on the track it’s all about the business, that’s how it goes. It’s just a part of the game,” says Bolt.
An avid NBA fan, Bolt says he is inspired when he watches the NBA players like his friend Celtics forward Garnett. Bolt mentions that he has followed the career of Garnett since he started in the league with the Timberwolves. “I’ve watched KG since he’d been with {Minnesota} Timberwolves, since he came into the league. Every match I could get to watch, I made sure I saw it. I’ve been watching him for a while. He went to the Celtics and finally got his ring and he really deserves it,” Bolt said.
Bolt believes he is a champion because of the inspiration from watching NBA champions also. “I looked at these guys because they work their hearts out and I work my heart and I can be a champion also and I did that,” he said.
Now the season is over, Bolt is resting and recuperating from a long, media focused and competitive year. Along with other Jamaicans, he is focused on changing the public perception of track. “We are trying to revolutionize track right now. We are trying to make this sport different. There’s a lot of Jamaican athletes staying home now and it’s more about change in this sport,” Bolt said.
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