Bolt fired up to regain world title

Olympic champion determined not to let absence of rivals affect him.

MOSCOW:

Usain Bolt is determined not to let the absence of some of his main rivals make him drop his guard as he tries to win back the 100-metre world title he lost two years ago.

Bolt, who retained his Olympic title last year, said after arriving in Moscow for the world championships that he was not worried he would repeat the nightmare of Daegu in 2011, when he was disqualified for a false start.

“I went to the Olympics, and now I’m back — back to regain my title,” said the Jamaican. “I’m even more focused that last time. So I’m going to get it done.”

American Tyson Gay and Jamaican former world record holder Asafa Powell will not compete in Moscow after failing dope tests. Jamaican Yohan Blake will not defend his title because of a hamstring injury.

Bolt denied their absence would affect his own motivation, pointing out that he had won titles before when big rivals were not competing.

“I’m motivated to go and show the world that even without nobody there, I can still win. So I’m focused, and I’m ready to go.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2013.

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