Bolt plans to defend sprint titles in Rio

Usain Bolt’s medal haul* 2007 Osaka World Championships: 200m, 4x100m silver* 2008 Beijing Olympics: 100m, 200m, 4x100m gold* 2009 Berlin World Championships: 100m, 200m, 4x100m gold* 2011 Daegu World Championships: 200m, 4x100m gold* 2012 London Olympics: 100m, 200m, 4x100m gold

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Usain Bolt’s medal haul* 2007 Osaka World Championships: 200m, 4x100m silver* 2008 Beijing Olympics: 100m, 200m, 4x100m gold* 2009 Berlin World Championships: 100m, 200m, 4x100m gold* 2011 Daegu World Championships: 200m, 4x100m gold* 2012 London Olympics: 100m, 200m, 4x100m goldKINGSTON – Usain Bolt says he intends to defend his Olympic 100m and 200m sprint titles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.The Jamaican, who retained both titles as well as the 4x100m in London, said he has decided against switching to either the 400m or long jump."To do the three [sprints], that is the focus. I don’t want to try any different events at Rio,” he said."I will just defend my titles to show the world there’s a possibility I can do it again.”The 26-year-old insisted he has no intention of easing off in his training.Bolt, who also holds the 100m and 200m world records, said he aimed to run even faster next year, during which the World Championships will be held in Moscow.He added: "It’s all about hard work. When I was doing great when I was young, people used to say I was fast for my age, but I have put a lot of work into it since I was a senior athlete.Bolt became the first man to retain both Olympic sprint titles when he led home a Jamaica clean sweep in a time of 19.32 seconds in the 200m in London in August, with Yohan Blake in silver and Warren Weir in bronze.