'I believe I can fly'
Superstar track and field athlete Usain Bolt flashed the same smile that he always wears on his face in a recent interview with The Telegraph. However, the Jamaican world record holder offered a much different insight than he normally does, with an excellent introspective dialogue. The following are excerpts from the interview:
On his hopes for Rio 2016
What I always wanted was to be great. For me, greatness means being remembered. People talk about sports all the time, and I want to be a part of that conversation, you know what I mean? When they talk about greats it's always Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé. I want to be a part of that conversation so when they talk about the greats they say Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pelé, Usain Bolt.
[When reminded that he is already spoken of in those terms] Yeah, but I'm still running. I want that when I retire I'm so great that you can't forget me, because you can never forget what Ali and all these guys have done. I think this Olympics will help me to do that. People tell me, 'you're a legend'… Yeah, but this Olympics will do it.
You always have to be confident. I believe I can fly. My coach always says when you get to 28, 29 that's it -- you can maintain, but he doesn't think you can go faster. But in my case, he says, I've never really pushed the barrier and got to my full potential.
How he started running
I gave trouble at school, but people know that's how I was, so I wasn't bad trouble, if you know what I mean? I was that person that people know was always smiling. I was so in love with cricket I didn't want to do anything else. Track was just something I was doing because I was good at it, and because I was winning people said “You should do this.” So, all right.
On Tyson Gay being allowed back
You have to understand it felt like he [Tyson Gay] cut me deeper. It was like the relationship I had with him… It wasn't like a bond or anything, but it was so competitive. I respected him so much as an athlete and over the years a rivalry built up and it got so big, and I really enjoyed it. I love competition, so he was my biggest rival and he made me feel like when I go out there I have to be at the top of my game at all times and I have to be focused, I have to be ready. And then when I heard about the drugs scandal I was like, come on…
Maybe over time I'll move past it, but it really bothered me -- really, really bothered me.
On his personal life
I've been dating for two years, but I'm not going to tell you who she is. I want to keep it small for now, because I know when it gets out there's going to be a lot of things to say, and I told her she can't handle it. Because I've been through the media. I understand how you guys are – especially the British media. You know that's true! The tabloid media, I should say. I've noticed that in Britain, every famous person, as soon as they get famous, they have to get married -- like, it's a rule. And I'm like, that's not fair! Like, Rooney got married so young -- all the footballers that are English, as soon as they get really famous they have to get married. And I think it's unfair to them.
You get famous, there's so much pressure of girls wanting you. And for you to get married at 21, you have not lived one bit. But I'm not English! I'm Jamaican! We have a totally different culture, so you can't judge me based on your culture. I want to get married. Because my parents are married. I've thought about it, but I know I'm not going to get married before 35, for sure.
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