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THE STAGE IS SET: Usain Bolt in front of Beijing's Bird's Nest National Stadium, where he will attempt to clinch the 100m and 200m double. No Jamaican has won 100m sprint. --REUTERS
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BEIJING - HE ALREADY holds the title of the world's fastest man.
Usain Bolt can probably add 'world's coolest' to his resume as well.
Just three days before the start of the Beijing Games, the 21-year-old dropped a bombshell yesterday: He had not been told he would compete in the 100m and 200m.
But, rather than be flustered after learning from the media that his coach Glenn Mills had pencilled him down for both events, the Jamaican saw the lighter side of it.
'It's the first miscommunication I've had with my coach. I hope it never happens again,' said the world 100m record-holder.
He then said: 'So, I guess I'll be doublin'. I thought I was 80 per cent sure I was gonna double. Now I'm 100 per cent sure I'm gonna double.'
At a Puma event - to launch its new marketing campaign in China and to celebrate Jamaica's independence day today - the 21-year-old was a charmer.
He spent 30 minutes addressing about 100 journalists and then another hour being grilled by selected media, including The Straits Times.
Throughout, he was cool - a refreshing change from the other media-dodging stars in Beijing.
Dressed in a green T-shirt, jeans and a gold watch to match his gold shoes, the man, tipped to become the first sprinter to win the Olympic 100m and 200m since Carl Lewis in 1984, took the questions with ease - even when they were embarrassing.
Asked about the fall he had suffered at Beijing Airport and whether he considered it a bad omen, he buried his head in his hands, smiled and said with a laugh: 'That's a part of life, everyone falls down!'
And, when a translator asked him about Korean sprinters running the 100m in 10 minutes instead of 10 seconds, he raised his eyebrows and then deadpanned: 'He needs a lot of practice.'
Yet, when it came to the Olympics, Bolt showed he meant business.
He wished Tyson Gay a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury - so that he can beat the American when he is 100 per cent.
And, although fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell - whose world mark he lowered to 9.72sec in May - is tipped as a serious contender, he was unperturbed.
He said: 'I don't think my world record will be broken in Beijing, although I know Asafa wants his world record back.
'That's not really my concern. My concern is to become the Olympic champion.'
He has the chance of becoming a Jamaican sprint legend in Beijing.
Despite producing the likes of Don Quarrie, Merlene Ottey and Veronica Campbell, no Jamaican has won the 100m.
'That will be a great thing,' said Bolt. 'Me and Asafa were talking about it once and said 'this is going to be big'.
'We were then looking at each other, wondering who's going to do it. It's going to be a great, great thing for Jamaica, a big stepping stone for the sport.'
At 1.96m, Bolt is not your typical sprinter. His massive frame does not allow him to be the first off the blocks.
But he uses his physique to his advantage.
He took only 41.5 strides to break the world record. It takes the world's best sprinters about 45 strides to cover the distance.
But, more importantly, he is an accidental 100m sprinter.
A former 400m runner, who in 2003 became the youngest world junior champion, he has been trained to last longer.
He explains: 'My 400m background helps me over 100m.
'That's where all my speed in the last 50m comes from. It helps me really go fast.'
A cricket fan, he looks up to Australians Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden as they bat aggressively. 'That's all I am,' he said.
But, away from the track, he is the same 'Trelawny boy', who used to help parents Wellesley and Jennifer run the local grocery store.
Asked where he sees himself in five years, he said with a cheeky grin: 'Other than being an Olympic champion? I was brought up in a laid-back way. I won't change.'
marclim@sph.com.sg
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