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Usain Bolt’s Speed Keeps His 2016 Record Hopes Strong Amidst Possible Beijing Olympic Gold Medal Return

By Colin Fredericson
Published on: 09:12 PST, Jun 12, 2016

Usain Bolt’s speed was enough to come back from an early stumble at a race in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, despite dealing with shocking news of teammate Nesta Carter testing positive for a banned substance at the Beijing Olympics. The Olympic committee is allowing testing of past samples using newer technology, thereby catching more athletes using substances they missed the first time around. Bolt and his teammates at the 2008 Beijing Olympics might have to return their gold medals for the relay in which they broke the world record once a decision is confirmed. Bolt has stated he will do what is required of him, despite disappointment over the situation and the potential setback to his own career.

Bolt told Sky Sports he was both happy and disappointed with his performance at yesterday’s 100m dash.

“I was not completely happy with [my] execution as the start was horrible and did not set up the race, but I won and that is good.”

Bolt won the 100 meter dash at the Jamaica Racers Grand Prix in 9.88 seconds, the second fastest 100 meter finish this year. In second, third, and fourth place respectively are top runners in their own right, Nickel Ashmeade, Yohan Blake, and Asafa Powell. Blake was also Bolt’s relay partner at the 2012 and 2008 Olympics. The only man so far to rival Usain’s time this year is Jimmy Vicaut of France, who came in at just two-hundredths of a second faster. Vicaut posted the 9.86 time in France at the Pro Athle Tour. It’s his personal best and the second time he’s finished a race in 9.86 seconds. The first was just last year. The time makes him the fastest European born athlete in the 100 meter dash, though it doesn’t come close to Bolt’s all-time record.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics were Usain Bolt’s most shining sports moment, as he took home gold in three events while simultaneously breaking world records for all three. A ruling won’t affect his 100m world record and his solo accolades gained at the event, but it definitely puts a damper on what was considered one of the best track showings ever. And since the 2012 London Olympics were a successful defense of the records Usain and his countrymen set in Beijing, it might spark further repercussions there.

Bolt commented on the Nesta Carter investigation and its possible repercussions to The Guardian.

“It’s heartbreaking [the positive test] because over the years you’ve worked hard to accumulate gold medals and worked hard to be a champion … but it’s just one of those things. Things happen in life, so when it’s confirmed or whatever, if I need to give back my gold medal I’d have to give it back, it’s not a problem for me.”

Usain Bolt still holds the world record for the 100 meter event at an impossibly fast 9.58 seconds. He will try to maintain form by this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This will also be Bolt’s last Olympics. But until his retirement, Usain Bolt’s speed will likely continue to be tested by his incredibly fast Jamaican countrymen Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, as well as American Justin Gatlin, who has been yearning to catch up with Usain at international meets since they first set foot on the blocks in the same races. Justin Gatlin put on a performance in which he actually broke Usain Bolt’s record on Japanese TV, but the performance didn’t qualify as official. He was also aided in his running by a large number of fans that helped push him down the track so he could cheat himself to victory in a race with no other competitors.

Usain Bolt’s speed in these races should continue to improve and amaze leading into the 2016 Rio Olympics.

[Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images]

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