Carl Lewis says Usain Bolt will have work cut out for him at London 2012 Olympics
Speaking from experience, former Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis urged that Usain Bolt will have his work cut out for him when he attempts
to defend his two Olympic sprint titles at the London 2012 Games.
Bolt stunned the world at the Beijing Games two years ago when he set a new world record for three Olympic events, the 100m, 200m, and
the 4 x 100m relay. Bolt, 24, finished the 100m with a time of 9.69 seconds, and lowered Michael Johnson's 200m record of 19.32 by 0.02 seconds.
Lewis told the
Metro UK newspaper: “You know what? The Olympics is two years away and it is amazing what can happen in that time.
"It’s a big challenge [for Bolt]. I am the only one who has ever been able to double up and win 100 metre gold at successive Olympics and I can tell you it’s a hard thing to do.”
Lewis spoke about the additional pressure of winning gold a second time since many have high expectations and everyone is out to top the reigning champion. “It’s very difficult to
come back and win for a second time because there’s a lot of people out there who want to beat you,” he said.
Lewis, who won 10 Olympics medals in his career, added that Bolt may possibly even break the nine-second barrier in future performances. The achievement would be colossally historical,
but Bolt seems to be headed the right way. Bolt lowered his 100m record to 9.58 seconds at last year's World Championships in Rome.
"We will be long gone by then but it [the world record] is always going to be reduced because people always want to beat the best,” Lewis said.
Lewis was named athlete of the year by
Track and Field News in 1982, 1983 and 1984. He was also recognized as “Sportsman of the Century” by International Olympic Committee.
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