Carl Lewis doubts Bolt’s Olympics 100m title defence
July 15th, 2012 - 7:06 pm ICT by IANSLondon, July 15 (IANS/CMC) Olympic legend Carl Lewis has cast doubts on sprint sensation Usain Bolt repeating his Beijing exploits at the London Olympics starting later this month.
Jamaican Bolt will start the July 27-August 12 Games as the defending champion in both sprints after dominating in Beijing four years ago, reports CMC.
Lewis, who won gold in 100m at the 1984 Los Angeles showpiece and four years later in Seoul, said it was difficult for sprinters to remain in peak condition for extended periods.
“The reason it hasn’t been done is because it’s hard to stay at that level for a long period of time. People are always trying to beat you when you are a champion,” the American pointed out.
“(Yohan) Blake has beaten Bolt two years in a row now after the World Championships in 2011 and we don’t know what Bolt’s head is like when he loses.”
He continued: “It’s a challenge to win two in a row but history defines greatness. You don’t have greatness in your time - you are great because of history.
“We always try to predict which races are going to be great but you just don’t know and that is the brilliant thing about it.”
Chinks appeared in Bolt’s armour two weeks ago when he was twice beaten by training partner Blake at the Jamaica National Trials.
On both occasions, Blake clocked world-leading times - 9.75 seconds in the 100m and 19.80 in the 200m - to install himself as one of the favourites in London.
Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medal winner, warned about the hype surrounding Blake.
“I still don’t understand this Yohan Blake situation because one year ago I had never heard of him and now everyone is saying he is the greatest,” Lewis said.
“But, in 2004, I went through the same thing with Maurice Greene. I said then that history defines greatness. Maurice only won bronze (in Athens) and then disappeared. That is why I let it all take place because I know how quickly it can change.”
Lewis pointed out the 100m field was perhaps a lot more open than many were willing to admit.
“People are talking about Bolt but (Justin) Gatlin could win,” said Lewis.
–IANS/CMC
sr/vm
- Olympics: Bolt admits to pressure ahead of 100m conquest - Aug 07, 2012
- Olympics: Bolt, Blake headline weekend track action - Aug 03, 2012
- Olympics athletics: Bolt, Blake headlines semi-finalists for 100m - Aug 05, 2012
- Olympics: Blake downplays experience factor in 100m contest - Aug 02, 2012
- Fit-again Bolt admits to past back injury - Jul 27, 2012
- Olympic athletics: Bolt warns Blake off 200m gold - Aug 08, 2012
- Blake stuns Bolt for second time to win 200m - Jul 02, 2012
- Forget winning 200m title, Bolt tells Blake - Aug 08, 2012
- Now Blake keen on playing in Australia's Big Bash - Aug 17, 2012
- Greene discounts world record by Bolt in London - Jun 28, 2012
- Olympics: Jamaica celebrates historic 200m one-two-three - Aug 10, 2012
- Pound's drug remark about Jamaican athletes rubbished - Aug 15, 2012
- Coach key to my success, says Bolt - Sep 13, 2012
- Bolt says 18 seconds a possibility for 200m - Jun 08, 2012
- Bolt injury free, ready to defend titles, says manager - Jul 25, 2012
Tags: 100m, armour, bolt, carl lewis, cmc, defence london, defending champion, gold medal winner, greatness, london olympics, maurice greene, olympic gold medal, olympic legend, peak condition, showpiece, sprinters, title defence, training partner, world championships, yohan blake