Bolt eyeing Beijing
New 100m world record-holder Usain Bolt made it clear Sunday that he'll be seeking a sprint double at the Beijing Olympics in August.
"I will be definitely going for the double," Bolt said on his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, just a day after he raced to a world record of 9.72sec in the 100m.
The 21-year-old defied dismal weather to eclipse the mark of 9.74 held by compatriot Asafa Powell at the Reebok Grand Prix meeting in New York on Saturday night.
Even after his stellar performance, the lanky Jamaican had insisted the 200m was still his favorite event, leaving some room for speculation as to whether he would pursue both in Beijing.
After sleeping on it, he appeared to have made up his mind.
"I broke the record, so I guess, that's the decision," he said Sunday. "You just tell yourself that you have to do it," he added.
Bolt's coach Glen Mills had said minutes earlier that Bolt would double at the Jamaican Olympic trials June 27-29, but said his runner still was certain to go for both in Beijing.
But Bolt said the world record brought a responsibility to go for gold in the 100m. "I am now the fastest man in the world, so I have to run it," he said.
Powell sent congratulatory remarks to Bolt, but indicated he planned to recapture the record.
"I am very happy for Bolt, he's a big guy and he trains very hard, he deserves the record," Powell said in a statement issued through his manager Paul Doyle. "I know that I can run in the 9.6's."
Powell also looked forward to potential clashes with Bolt, including at the Olympic trials.
"It will be a very exiting summer," he said.
Bolt, however, downplayed the idea of a duel with his countryman at the Olympic trials.
"I don't think it will be a showdown," he said. "I just think Asafa and I will just be going out there to make the team to Beijing.
"I don't think we're going out there to prove anything. That's how I will be looking at it - I don't know how Asafa will be looking at it," Bolt said.
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