Retire, Michael Johnson to Usain Bolt after 2016 Rio Olympics
Time to retire, Johnson told the Jamaica superstar who finally called it a day in August this year.
New Delhi: American sprint legend Michael Johnson had a word of advice for Usain Bolt after the 2016 Rio Olympics. “Time to retire,” Johnson told the Jamaica superstar who finally called it a day in August this year.
At a time when world athletics is battling a dope menace and looking at life after Bolt, the four time Olympic gold medallist reflects on a number of issues.
Excerpts:
On how athletics has changed over the years: Athletics in terms of the format is pretty much the same as it was when I was competing. So, I think that’s something probably detrimental to the sport. I don’t know if this is the way out, but certainly it is important to refresh the sport and make it more relevant to the audience. But is it not the only thing.
On doping in athletics: Regardless of Usain Bolt, because of the doping issue the sport needs to modernise and attract new fans. Now, you take out the biggest star and that only serves to compound those problems. But that’s not Bolt’s responsibility.