London: Jamaican Usain Bolt said on Sunday he was sad but also excited to bow out of athletics, adding that his disappointing world campaign in London would not change his career achievements.
Bolt brought down the curtain on his glittering career in dramatic fashion when he pulled up with a hamstring cramp halfway through his anchor leg in the 4x100m relay.
That meant his final competitive race finished without a medal, Bolt having sealed a bronze in the individual 100m behind American duo Justin Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, and Christian Coleman.
“I always tried my best 100 percent all the time and put on a good show. I don’t think one championship is going to change what I’ve done in this sport,” admitted the 30-year-old.
“I remember after losing the 100m, someone said to me: ‘Usain, don’t worry, Muhammad Ali lost his last fight also so don’t be stressed about it’. I’ve proven myself year in, year out,” said the Jamaican, world record holder in the 100 and 200m, winner of eight Olympic golds and 14 world medals since making his debut in Helsinki in 2005 when he finished eighth and last in the 200m final.
Bolt insisted that there would be no comeback.
Enduring legacy
When asked what his legacy would be, Bolt spun a line that will be music to the ears of Coe and all at the IAAF, his potential new employers as both parties seek a mutually satisfying position to incorporate the Bolt brand for the advancement of track and field.
“Continue trying in anything you do, it’s a good message to the kids,” he said. “Work hard, stay strong and push on.”
And with no mention of newly-crowned 100m champion Gatlin, Bolt signed off with a word on athletes who abuse drugs in sports and what the message to children should be.
“I have always been strong on doping,” he said. “I’ve said it, athletes should get life bans if you go out of your way to cheat an athlete.
