According to Coach Glen Mills, Sprint superstar, Usain Bolt will not be denied more sprint gold by American Justin Gatlin following his preparations for the August’s world championships
“We take all competitors with a level of seriousness and I don’t see Gatlin as a joke, but the truth of the matter is Usain at his best doesn’t have much to worry about,” Mills told Reuters in an interview.
Jamaican Bolt will bid for a third 100 metres gold and a fourth 200m gold in succession at the Aug. 22-30 meeting in Beijing.
In Bolt’s absence, Gatlin dominated the Diamond League last season, ending the year as world leader in the 100 and 200m with personal best times of 9.77 and 19.68 seconds respectively.
“It’s good for the sport and creates the kind of interest, but those kinds of things don’t affect us in any way because Usain and myself knows what we can get him to do when he’s fully fit and ready and that’s what we’re working to do,” said Mills, who has guided Bolt since 2005.
“When we are ready and he’s peaked then let’s hear the shout, ‘I’m sure it will be Usain Bolt!'”
The 100 and 200m world record holder, Bolt won both events at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Having taken time off last year, the 28-year-old told Reuters he was looking to set quick times this season.
“I always try to wait until I run my first race (to set targets), but for me the aim is always to go to the championship and to defend my titles,” he said.
“But I want to run really fast this season so I’m working on it.”
Mills said Bolt had stepped up his preparation sincerunning 46.37 seconds over 400m on March 14 in Kingston.
“He has made significant strides since the last time you saw him (in competition),” he said.