"Usain Bolt should slow down", says track legend Michael Johnson
Fri 27/11/2009 16:30
Not many would advise triple Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt to slow down, but that is what track legend Michael Johnson is suggesting, reports spikesmag.com.
The US athlete, who still holds the world 400m record and was the global 200m record-holder until Bolt deposed him of the status in Beijing last year, was adamant the Jamaican should take a cautious approach to preserve his body.
“It might be time for Bolt to slow down,” said Johnson.
“Physically, there is no doubt he can continue to compete, and there is no telling how fast he might go one day. But mentally, it is a different story.
“The most difficult thing for a young, accomplished athletes is to figure how to stay motivated.
Yes, he could go faster, shattering records yet again. But he has done in two years what it takes other athletes, including myself, more than a decade to do. What else is there to accomplish?
“There is another reason why it would be good for Bolt to take a break. He has rekindled interest in track and field in America, a nation where team sports generally dominate. But
Bolt will not be breaking world records with every race, and over time his speed will begin to take some of the thrill out of watching track events.
“After all,” Johnson added, “with Bolt in the race, we already know who is going to win.”