News Americas, BEIJING, China, Fri. Aug. 21, 2015: Jamaican-born Olympian and the world’s fastest man insists he is “ready” to compete at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 and face American Justin Gatlin, a two-time drug cheat tomorrow.
Bolt faced the media Thursday at the Puma and Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) press conference at the NUO Beijing Hotel and gave warning that he is not about to surrender his seven-year reign as the undisputed boss of men’s sprinting to anyone.
Looking relaxed, Bolt who burst had his first jaw-dropping performance at the 2008 Olympics in China insists he’s changed but is “a much improved Usain.”
Bolt is currently ranked only sixth in the world for the 100m with a best of 9.87 and he is 19th on the world lists with a best time of 20.13 in the 200m. He has scarcely competed this year with just three races each over the 100m and 200m distance.
In performances at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London he twice ran 9.87 but on the eve of the World Championships in Beijing, he says he is “feeling good.”
“Competition is competition, it is just about who executes well on the day. I have to get out quickly over the first 50m,” he added, ahead of his birthday today.
Bolt faces Gatlin in the 100 meter on Saturday, August 22 in Beijing.
Bolt and Gatlin will also battle for the 200 meters on Aug. 28 and 29. Bolt owns the world record at 19.19, which he achieved in Berlin.
