Usain Bolt's quest for legend status is now complete as he successfully defended his win in both 100 and 200-meter races during the 2012 London Summer Olympics, however, he has another opportunity for gold on Saturday.
Bolt is also set to defend his gold medal win in the 4x100-meter relay that he won at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. In order to do so, he and his fellow Jamaican spritners must pass the first round today against Brazil, St. Kitts and Nevis, and host country Great Britain.
The Jamaican team is expected to advance to Saturday night's final, easily. Compared to all 18 countries participating in the two heats of round one, Jamaica comes in the fastest time at 37.04 seconds, a national best. The Jamaican team also set Olympic and World records previous relays. The Jamaican posted the Olympic record of 37.10 seconds at the Beijing Olympics, and 37.04 in Daegu, South Korea last year in the world championship.
And who assisted in those record victories?
Usain Bolt.
"I think there's a possibility," said Bolt when asked about the possibilities of breaking a record. "But you can never really say it, because it's a relay and there's a baton. You never know. But for me, we're going to go out, enjoy ourselves, run fast as possible. It would be a good way to close the show again."
Bookies have the Jamaican team to easily win the relay, with Team USA expected to win silver. When it comes to breaking a world record, Betfair predicts a narrow possibility that there won't be.
Bolt enters the 4x100-meter relay believing he's reached legend status following his 200-meter race.
"That was for all that people that doubted me, all the people that was talking all kinds of stuff that I wasn't going to do it, I was going to be beaten," Bolt said after his 200-meter race. "I was just telling them: You can stop talking now, because I am a legend."
One of those "people" Bolt might be referring to is 10-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis. Bolt displayed honesty when discussing the American track and field star, who according to Bolt spoke referred to Jamaican athletes to using performance enhancing drugs.
"Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him," Bolt said. "The things he says about the track athletes is really downgrading for another athlete to say something like that."
Bolt plans to "party like it's my birthday" following Saturday's 4x100-meter relay.
Usain Bolt’s Olympic Schedule:
4x100-Meter Relay
Men's 4x100-meter Relay Round 1: - August 10, 2:45 p.m. EDT
Men's 4x100-meter Relay Final: - August 11, 4 p.m. EDT
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