Bolt takes the lead

André Lowe Senior Staff Reporter

Triple Olympic champion thrilled with flag-bearer role

LONDON, England:

Triple Olympic champion and world record holder, Usain Bolt, is delighted he will be leading the Jamaican Olympic delegation during today's opening ceremony in London, England.

Bolt, who will be defending his 100m and 200m titles before teaming up with his Jamaican colleagues to try and repeat their world record-breaking performance in the 4x100m relays, was yesterday announced as the country's flag-bearer at the Jamaican Olympic team's press conference at Puma's 'Jamaica Yard', which is located in the popular Brick Lane area of East London.

Said a smiling Usain Bolt: "Carrying the flag is a huge honour for me. For my country, I would do anything because I really love Jamaica and couldn't live anywhere else."

New records

Bolt, who since his exploits in Beijing, China, where he set new individual world records in the 100m (9.69) and 200m (19.30) and who has been the face of track and field around the world, told the more than 200 media professionals gathered that he was looking forward to the extra attention he would be getting during the ceremony which gets under way at 9 p.m. (3 p.m. Jamaica time).

"To be on TV; to be singled out at the opening ceremony is great. I'm happy and looking forward to it," Bolt said.

The Jamaican followed up his Beijing performance with an even greater showing at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, with another two world records in the 100m (9.58) and 200m (19.19). He claimed a third Berlin title, along with the Jamaican 4x100m relay team, but did not lower that record until they ran 37.04 at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, last year. Bolt will be looking to confirm his status as a legend of the sport and believes his flag-carrying duties are the perfect start to what he hopes will be a hugely successful Olympic Games for him.

"Different people say different things on what it would take for me to be a legend but for me, I pretty much have to defend my titles and that's what I am here to do," said Bolt.

andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com