LONDON — Usain Bolt has declared himself fit as he bids to become the first man to make a successful defense of his 100 and 200 meters Olympic titles at London 2012.
Hamstring problems caused by a stiff back in recent weeks had threatened to derail the fastest man on the planet from the chance of making history.
Nevertheless, on the eve of the London Olympics, the 25-year-old has moved to ease concerns despite his rocky build-up during which he suffered shocking defeats at the hands of Yohan Blake at last month’s Jamaican Olympic trials.
“I’m always ready,” Bolt said. “It’s all about championships. I’ve had slight problems, but I’m ready to go.”
The sprinter remains fully focused on his aim of adding to his tally of three Olympic gold medals. He also helped Jamaica cruise to victory in the 100 meters relay in Beijing four years ago.
“I’m going to focus on going out there to win,” Bolt said as he appeared alongside Asafa Powell at Jamaica’s pre-Games news conference. “My back was a little stiff and it affected my hamstring but I’m over that. I’ve been training for the past 2 1/2 weeks and everything is all right.”
Bolt, however, is realistic enough to have considered how he might feel if he fails to accomplish a feat no other man has managed to achieve.
“I don’t think it will be the end of the world if I lose,” he said. “I would definitely be disappointed if I was second. Mentally, though, I am always strong. I have a great team around me who keep me on track.”
Jamaica has chosen Bolt to be the team’s flag bearer at today’s opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
“Carrying the flag is an honor,” he said. “For my country Jamaica, I’ll do anything — to be on TV. I’m happy. I’m looking forward to [today].”
Bolt transformed the world of athletics when he scorched to blistering victories in the sprint events in China in what were then world record times. He beat those at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, where he ran the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds and the 200 meters in 19.19 seconds.
Though Bolt made a successful defense of his 200 meters world title in Daegu last year, a false start cost him the 100 meters crown which he lost to Blake.
