Bolt from the blue
The fastest runner on the planet told assembled journalists at AUT Millennium that he will be defending his 100m and 200m Olympic titles in four years.
Usain Bolt, who was in New Zealand for a one day promotional stopover for sports drink Gatorade, also revealed that he feels he is capable of running 9.40s for 100 metres.
Bolt’s has six Olympic gold medals and holds the world record for the 100m is 9.58s and his world record for the 200m is 19.19.
After a brief media session late in the afternoon, Bolt held a coaching session for New Zealand’s best sprinters on AUT Millennium’s indoor track.
Coaching advice for top Kiwi sprinters
Some of the athletes were visibly nervous about meeting the man who is arguably the biggest name in world sport at the moment. But with his trademark charm, Bolt eased the tension with a few jokes and jibes before taking them through a session which included sprint drills and practice starts.
After watching them do few strides, Bolt got into the starting blocks himself to show the form of a man who has transformed sprinting. He is physically unusual for a world class sprinter, many of whom are typically shorter and more muscled than the 1.96m Bolt.
Despite clearly not operating at 100% intensity, he flew out of the blocks taking no more than three strides to get into an upright position. His power and explosiveness were evident, even in this relaxed atmosphere.
Bolt strikes the famous pose
The concentration and focus he displays in races is in sharp contrast to his laidback demeanour while preparing for a race. Towards the end of the session, the crowd of invited guests who had filed the sports hall got what they had been waiting for, when the Jamaican gave his famous double point pose.
Bolt said he uses the pose to help him relax. He also revealed he wasn’t interested in playing rugby. “It’s too tough. It’s not for me,” he said.
After signing a few autographs and a high five from New Zealand heptathlete Sarah Cowley he left the building holding his fist in the air.