AREVA Meeting Paris – Interview USAIN BOLT

Usain Bolt is arrived in Paris and took part of our press conference at Areva's headquarters today.

This is what he told us during this conference :

Usain Bolt: « If I put everything in order, time will come by itself »

Usain Bolt is in Paris. Two days before his race against Christophe Lemaitre on 200 m at the MEETING AREVA, he was the main guest at a press conference at AREVA's headquarters in Paris. Extracts.

What do you expect of your race on 200 m on Friday night? What's your goal?

I don't have any particular goal and I've no time in mind. This 200 m will be my second of the season. It will be all about execution. I want to stay focus on my execution, my technique. I need to be fluid. Actually, I'll have to put on the track all we've worked with my coach these last weeks. If I execute well, if I put everything in order, the time will come by itself.

What do you think about Christophe Lemaitre?

He's doing well, I'm proud of him. He's improving a lot, he's in the business. We met for the first time in 2009, but I was in a top shape so it was hard for him. Last year at the Stade de France, he was between Asafa (Powell) and me on the track, so he did struggle again. This time, it will be interesting to see how he will run on 200 m.

How was your training these last weeks back in Jamaica?

After Oslo (19''86 on 200 m, WL), I went back home. With my coach, we watched and studied some video of my races. And we realized that my technique was not so good, not as fluid as it used to be. So, we worked on that, mainly on the start. Now, it's getting better.

Your season so far has been criticized, some people found your times disappointed. How do you react?

I don't really pay attention on what people say or write about me. I just stay focus on my goal. I work hard, I'm going back to my best shape and performances. And I'm quite pleased with my times so far, I've done 9''91 and 19''86. But I may have put the standard too high, so people are expecting too much for me. But they are realizing how hard it is to get back in shape after injuries.

What did you learn from last season and from injuries you've suffered?

I learnt a lesson. So, I've decided to change some details in my preparation to stay healthy. For example, I did more weight training on my back. I also do more stretching, mainly on hamstring, to run more relax.

What's your opinion on US and Jamaican trials? And, of course, Tyson Gay out of the picture?

I've not seen the US trials, I've just got the results. Tyson Gay is injured, he's out, maybe he asked too much from his body. In sprint, it never helps. But the competition will be very hard anyway, even without Tyson, because a lot of guys are running very fast this year, Asafa for example. About the Jamaican trials, I've watched them from my couch. Most of my teammates will be on the team in Daegu. It's a very good news.