Bolt and the 400m dilemma

BY KAYON RAYNOR Senior Observer staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, March 01, 2010

A 43.58-second clocking/split by world 100m and 200m record holder Usain Bolt on the anchor leg of the Racers Lions 4x400 metres team at Saturday’s 34th Gibson Relays, has reignited calls for the Jamaican sprint king to contest the 400m.

After collecting the baton some 20 metres behind and in fourth position, the triple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist returned the super time to close the gap to within five metres on leader Nicholas Maitland.

Maitland’s University of Technology team won the event in a world-leading 3:05.33, just 44 hundredths of a second ahead of Bolt’s Racers Lions team, which stopped the clock at 3:05.77 seconds. The only Jamaicans with sub-44 seconds 400-relay splits are Davian Clarke (43.51), Roxbert Martin (43.81), and Greg Haughton (43.88), who are all retired.

Many track and field aficionados including American Michael Johnson, who holds the 400m world record of 43.18secs, have long proposed that Bolt, who established world records of 9.58 and 19.19 in the 100m and 200m, respectively, should attempt the quarter-mile.

“There has never been anyone who’s held the world records at 100, 200 and 400 metres and he (Bolt) has the potential to do that,” Johnson said on a visit to Jamaica in December.

“I think we can say that records will be broken, but I would venture to say that nobody is ever going to hold the world records at 100, 200 and 400 again if he (Bolt) does it. I don’t think there will ever be a person that could do that,” added Johnson, who was in Jamaica to produce a one-hour documentary on Bolt to be aired on the BBC.

Bolt’s career best over the 400m is 45.28secs, attained in 2007. The 23-yearold sprinter who is coached by Glen Mills opened his 2010 season by clocking 45.87secs in the event on February 14.

A month prior to January 14, the three-time world 100m world champion and former world record holder American Maurice Greene also said he believed Bolt has what it takes to break Johnson’s 400m record.

“Usain will probably go down as the ultimate sprinter ’cause his 100m is going to get faster, his 200m is going to get faster and if he decides to run the 400, he will shatter that record too,” Greene said at the time.

“He will shatter that (400m) record also, but that’s only if he wants to do it,” the five-time world champion reasoned.

Bolt, who currently only runs the 400m in early season as part of his stamina work for the 200m, has always said that he will only seriously consider attempting the 400m following the defense of his 100m and 200m titles at the London Olympics in 2012.

“The 400 I don’t want to do, but I think I’ll do it in the future because my coach can be very convincing. And he’ll find some argument for me to do it,” Bolt told journalist last September. “I think I would be pretty good (at it) as I have tried it when I was young, just messing around,” he added.

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COMMENTS (7)

rosemarie morris
3/2/2010

Lady Morris .
Well said Dewayne & Nigel, bolt and his coach will know when he is ready he , if it is 2012 let him do what he wants.
Bolt dont let them pressure u into anything... i was really impressed with your running on Saturday at the Gibson relay
KEEP UP D GOOD WORK, GOD BE WITH U

Dewayne Roxborough
3/2/2010

The only limit is what one sets in his or her mind. As long as Usain Bolt stays focus on the goal, he will earn the 400m record also. Don't let the media decide what you can or cannot do Usain.
On another note, Michael Johnson is only now saying that, because he wants to capitalize on Usain Bolt's fame for his documentary. This is the same loser who doubted Usain in 2008 and 2009. He has also responded negatively to Usains success on numerous occasions. Mek him move ang gu-whe wid him bad-mine self!!! These people only befriend you when they want something.
Imagine, Johnson was Bolt's idol growing up and all he could have given him for support in 2008 and 2009 was discouragement and disparagement in the media.

Nigel Blake
3/2/2010

I am sure that there is no "dilemma" in Usain's mind. He is clear as to what he wants to do. Do you you think that it is wise for the GREATEST athlete in the world to risk injury by taking on so much right now?
In 2012 (two short years time) he will attempt the 400m. And even then, it should be on a limited basis.

Philip Williams
3/1/2010

I do believe that mr Bolt should try only the 400 meter at the cammonwealth games.

Steve Allen
3/1/2010

I have always say THE KING of Track and Field Usain Lighting Bolt should wait a few more years before he runs the 400m. I`ll bet my money on him to break the record in the next 3 years time.

Norman Lee
3/1/2010

Mr Bolt, I agree with your thinking. After you defend your Olympic titles in world record times in London in 2012 then you can concentrate on the 400m. You have so re-ingnited the world to love track that they cant wait to get more thrills from you. I say to you, remember you are flesh and blood; follow your own agenda and beware of early burn out.

Anthony II
3/1/2010

Personally, I think that Usain should run on our 4 x 400m team at the Olympics and World Champs, but only in the final. So, he would depend on the other runners to make it to that stage. I know how heavy that load is with the 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100m relay; however, I think he can do it, and the world would love it.

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