Rio 2016: Usain Bolt promises to re-write Olympic history as he shapes up for 100m battle

Bolt belives he is in the right shape to win a third straight Olympic 100m gold medal

Thursday 21 July 2016 12:11 BST

Usain Bolt believes he is in the right shape to 'make history' at Rio 2016 (Getty)

Usain Bolt insists he is fit and ready to race ahead of his first 200 metres of the season at the Muller Anniversary Games on Friday night.

The six-time Olympic champion faces a key test of his fitness when he races for the first time since pulling out of the Jamaican trials with a hamstring strain.

"I'm good, I'm feeling good, been training good now, I'm happy with where I am," the 29-year-old told a packed press conference.

"My hamstring is good, I have no issue right now. I know I'm in good shape."

Bolt's outing at the Olympic Stadium, the scene of his three Olympic gold medal wins at London 2012 in the 100m, 200m and sprint relay, will be his last before the Rio Games, where he will bid for an unprecedented 'triple triple' of Olympic crowns.

"I'll definitely be there, I'm excited to go," the Jamaican said of his Rio hopes.

Usain Bolt shows off a plaster from a recent drug test (Getty)

"This is where history is going to be made, I'm excited to put on a show for the entire world to see.

"This is my final Olympics, it's a big one."

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

Show all 10

1/10Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN - Individual Dressage

The defending Olympic champion in the individual and team dressage disciplines, barely a competition seems to go by in which the 29-year-old Dujardin and her horse, Valegro, do not increase their standing with yet more world records. The pair are looking invincible. Prospects: 24 carat gold

Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

GILES SCOTT - Sailing (Finn class)

Arguably one of the best sportsmen to not feature at an Olympics, Scott has suffered the misfortune of competing in the same event as Sir Ben Ainslie with only one spot available. But Ainslie’s Olympic ambitions are now over. Prospects: Gold digger

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S TEAM PURSUIT - Cycling

Once unbeatable, the trio of riders, which later became a quartet – Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, with Dani King vying to win her place back – went four years without a defeat before being outdone by Australia at the World Championships in Paris in February. Such is British Cycling’s ability to peak at the right time, expect them to be back on top next year. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE - Triathlon

Only fifth in the world, but the Olympic champion had a late start to the season. He has won two of his three races in 2015 and his rivalry with Spain’s Javier Gomez will be captivating up to the Games. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

SCOTT BRASH - Individual Show Jumping

The multi-million-pound horse Hello Sanctos has helped put Brash, a gold medallist at London 2012 in the team event, comfortably at the top of the world rankings. He is currently on course to become the first rider to win showjumping’s Triple Crown. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty Images

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MO FARAH - Athletics – 5,000m and 10,000m

Britain’s leading athlete may have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in past weeks but he remains the world’s leading distance runner. A repeat of that golden double over the 5,000m and 10,000m will be a hard ask but the Londoner ought to come out on top in at least one. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S PAIR - Rowing

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning halted their successful partnership in 2012 so the latter could resume military duties. Now reunited, they are gradually getting back to being the sport’s powerhouses. Prospects: 24 carat gold

AFP/Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MEN'S COXLESS FOUR - Rowing

British Rowing has turned its attention to the eight as the lead boat this year in order to qualify for the Olympic Games. However, the coxless four will once more be the No 1 boat for Team GB in Rio. The make-up of the boat is still unknown but Britain will be bidding to achieve a fifth straight win in the event at the Games.

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON - Heptahlon

The 22-year-old from Liverpool has just one Olympic appearance to her name dating back to London, where she finished 15th while Jessica Ennis shone. But she has become the world’s leading female eventer and ought to be Olympic favourite. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

JADE JONES - Taekwondo 57kg

Ranked second in the world behind Eva Calvo Gomez, the attack-minded Jones beat the Spaniard at last year’s World Grand Prix and was recently crowned the first European Games champion. She believes the world title would have been hers if not for a scoring system error. Prospects: Gold digger

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Bolt is familiar at dealing with, and defying, doubters, especially last year when he went into the World Championships in Beijing trailing two-time convicted drug cheat Justin Gatlin in the 100m and 200m world rankings only to leave China with the complete set of gold medals.

"I'm definitely a tough competitor," he said. "Last year Gatlin was just not ready, it was the first time he was being chased.

"It was hard for him, but this year is not going to be the same, I am in much better shape, so I won't leave it to the last second."

Bolt celebrates his victory in the 100m final at London 2012 (Getty)

Bolt insisted he was never worried his hamstring problem would rule him out of Rio.

"When I got to the doctor he said if I had competed (in the trials) I would probably would have torn my hamstring really badly," he said.

"I made the right decision. My coach always makes sure I put my health first. But I was never really worried because my coach always figures out a way to adjust the programme.

"I was in pretty good shape before I had to pull out, so I wasn't really worried."

It is now seven years since Bolt clocked his 100m and 200m world records of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively and, with his intention to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London, the chances of him breaking them appear slim.

 Bolt wants to lower his time in the 200m (Getty) (2015 Getty Images)

Bolt, though, says he is focused on lowering his time in the 200m, an event he has always described as his favourite.

"I'm happy that I didn't get a really bad setback this season, it was up and down, but I could always train," he added.

"I think the competition, the energy, the work they have to put in to win the 100m in Rio will help my 200m and that's really my focus, trying to break the 200m world record."

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