A Bolt in time! Diack says J'can star saved sport

Diack says J'can star saved scandal-ridden sport

BY DANIA BOGLE Observer writer

Friday, February 19, 2010

USAIN Bolt may have been the person to save track and field in the face of a number of doping scandals, as well as to highlight the merits of the junior school system.

That's according to International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president, Lamine Diack.

"I think it was the thing that was needed in our sport to see one athlete like him (Bolt) coming from the school system," Diack told the Observer.

Diack has previously touted the benefits of the school system, using Jamaica as model, saying that this is where the future of the global sport rests.

"They have to look to you (Jamaica)," the Senegalese. "You give the possibility to youngsters to do track and field and this is the right way and we have to learn this from your system."

Though he gained worldwide attention and fame at the Beijing Olympics as a 22-year-old, Bolt's achievements were known locally for in excess of five years before the 2008 Games when as a schoolboy, he claimed numerous victories at the CARIFTA Junior Championships, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, and the 2002 World Junior Championships.

"I think to have Bolt coming with exceptional physical qualities and very good speed is the thing our sport needed to have... to fix new limits and to show that it is possible; the merit was kept," Diack told the Observer.

Bolt has thrice lowered the 100m world record -- from 9.74 seconds to 9.72, to 9.69 and 9.58, and twice improved the 200m mark from 19.32 seconds to 19.30 and 19.19.

Diack, who has been charge of the world governing body in excess of a decade, said he knew Bolt was something special when he first saw him in competition at the CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas in 2001.

"I saw him in the 400m and I said he would develop into a fantastic 400m runner, but the following year he won the World Junior Championships in the 200m and I was prepared to see a wonderful athlete develop, but I never thought about him in the 100m," Diack said.

"What he has achieved is incredible because to run 9.58 was not expected," he added.

The IAAF named Bolt the Male Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

While there has been speculation about where his career takes him next, Diack has said he doesn't see the athlete taking on the 400m or 800m internationally any time soon.

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COMMENTS (7)

N G-R
2/19/2010

Watch out for my nephew Andre Ford of the Toronto Flying Angels at the Gibson Relays next weekend. He'll be the trailblazer in the future, hopefully here in London 2012.

bayreuth lewis
2/19/2010

Bolt is a jamaica living treasure like Pele to Brasil but also he has transcend ed our small space on the ROCK and now is a global icon . Bolt is a gift to humanity and may is greatness continue unbound. I seriously beleive if he wants to own the 400m record he would definately go for it. I am just happy I am alive to witness a rare human specimen redefining the boundary of biomechanics.

kerr anthony phillip
2/19/2010

Honorable Usain Bolt, know this! this statement ;"A Bolt in time! Diack says J'can star saved sport ".
This is just their expression of the importance of your $$$$$$ to the sport!
Look carefully as a junior champion every body who is/was any expert in athletics admitted you are displaying excellent potential.
When you stepped up to YOUR DEFINITION OF GREATNESS (2008)there were so many questions and criticisms ,YOU then REDEFINED GREATNESS(2009) ,so now it has been authenticated; they now accept your commercial .
Honorable Usain Bolt, you are handling a DIVINE GIFT, you are possibly the one to inspire a new breed of JAMAICANS IN EXCELLENCE.
Sir conduct your self with intelligence, vision, wisdom and honesty.
YOU HAVE BEEN A GLOBAL CHAMPION AS A BOY, AND YOU ARE NOW AS A MAN.....NOTHING NEW. However , Honorable Usain Bolt you are an AMBASSADOR , represent and lead . Handle your divine gift with care .
PEACE.

Steve Allen
2/19/2010

Just as Lamine Diack said, he dosen`t see Mr Bolt taking on the 400m or 800m any time soon. I believe Mr Diack is correct, Bolt should leave the 400m or 800m for maybe another 3 or 4 years before taking it up. He is so good at what he is doing at the 100m and 200m presently, if Bolt takes all the titles and breaks all the records there will be no room for the other Athletes of the world to challenge him at. Good work mr Bolt, keep up the good work for Jamaica. We love you.

Harsha Sankar
2/19/2010

Dear T & F fan,
Usain Bolt should run the 400 once more this season and try to break 45.
He should try to run the 300 once and get the WR from Micheal Johnson.
He should try to run the 150 and see if he can improve his WR.
Harsha Sankar
Bangalore,India

Chris Hype
2/19/2010

It is nice to see a man of is statue compliment our athletes and Jamaica

Jay Brown
2/19/2010

Bolt to the wurl !!

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