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The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, said he plans on retiring from running after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The 27-year-old native of Jamaica is the current world record holder in the 100- and 200-meter races and won gold medals in both events in 2012 and 2008. He also won gold with his teammates at both Olympics in the relay event. He said he has a few more goals to reach and then plans on calling it a day.
Bolt is obviously aiming at taking a few more gold medals home with him again in 2016, and said he wants to break his world record in the 200 meters next year and win a gold medal during the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.
Bolt claimed he’s in great shape and plans on doing what he has to do in Scotland and Brazil, and will then retire on top after dominating the sport for so long.
Bolt has been successful so far this year, as he added three more gold medals to his ever-growing collection. He managed to snag three victories in Moscow, Russia during the summer at the World Athletics Championships.
He will race just once more this current season, which will be running the 100-meter event on Sept. 6 in Brussels, Belgium at the Van Damme Memorial.
According to the runner, he has admitted before that he’ll probably pack it in after the 2016 Olympic games because he’s finding it harder and harder to get motivated before certain races these days, even though he’s still the most dominant runner in the world.
He stated: “I couldn't find that goal, that drive to get going again. I sat down and thought to myself ‘what do I really want? And what can I do in this sport some more?”
He then came to the conclusion that if he wants to go down in history as one of the world’s greatest athletes, such as Muhammad Ali and former Brazilian soccer great Pele, that he has to keep on winning races until the day he officially retires.
Bolt said if he can do this then he has a better chance of being remembered, but he has to take care of his body to make sure he stays in excellent condition and doesn’t suffer any injuries.
No matter what happens from her on in though, Bolt will certainly be remembered as one of the best ever at his craft.
He’s never been beaten on the running track in a major event. His only setback took place in 2011 at the World Athletics Championships. Bolt was disqualified from the 100-meter race due to a jump start.
Bolt may not even have hit his peak yet since he’s a notorious slow starter, and often takes his foot off the gas before crossing finish lines because he’s so far out in front.
By the time the 2016 Olympics are over, Bolt could have nine gold medals to his name. He already has six and is in fourth place on the all-time list for gold medals. He will jump out into the lead if he can manage to win three more in Rio.
Bolt will be 30 years old when he retires. His dream is to play soccer with Manchester United. While it’s a long shot, we shouldn’t put it past him.
