Jamaican Usain Bolt is the newest “World’s Fastest Man” in part because of his persistence in asking his coach for a chance to run the 100 meters.
Previously considered best at 200 meters, Bolt finally got his coach, Glen Mills, to relent. Now Bolt is the world-record holder — recording a time of 9.72 seconds after a remarkable run on a perfect Saturday night in New York.
“I’ve been asking for two years to give me a chance,” Bolt told The Associated Press. “He gave me a chance last year to run one 100 meters, and I had a 10.03. Then he decided, ‘Hey, let’s try this and see what we can do.’ I showed him what I can do in the 100 now.”
What’s next? The Jamaican national championships are scheduled for June 27-29 in Kingston. Countryman Asafa Powell, the previous record holder at 9.74 who is coming back from a chest injury, is expected to run.
Then the focus turns toward August and the Olympics in Beijing.
“The gold medal is more important to me,” Bolt said. “Somebody’s got to wait four years to beat you. Someone can take the world record from you anytime.”
