Usain Bolt's secrets of speed
Updated on 02 July 2009
Triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt tells Krishnan Guru-Murthy how long legs and "looking cool all the time" help him become the fastest man in the world.
His speed has earned him the nickname 'lightening bolt'. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt holds the Olympic title and world records for the 100 and 200 metres and this morning he was in London to inspire the next generation.
Speaking to Channel 4 News Bolt said that his height was behind some of his success as a sprinter and that that he has "mastered looking calm."
"They say when you get to top sprinting you should be relaxed and I have mastered that and looking cool at all time," he said.
But his sport faces an uncertain future with dwindling interest from spectators and sponsors. As companies tighten their belts, athletics is losing out to other sports with fewer restrictions on product promotion.
The clothing company Puma sponsors Bolt but its name was not in sight when he picked up Olympic Gold because such personal sponsorship is currently outlawed - something fellow Olympian Michael Johnson says needs to be changed.
Bolt said, "I am trying my best to make the sport much more enjoyable to watch - I give people jokes, I try to make them enjoy the performance I give. If there were more street races people would like to see tack and race more often and I am trying to do my best to make it as enjoyable as possible.
"If the rules were are relaxed you would get a lot more sponsorship as more companies will know they can promote their stuff on national television."
Uncertainty about the misuse of performance enhancing drugs also continues to cause concern - and the man with the golden boots has not been immune from rumour and innuendo.
The American Olympic great Carl Lewis recently said he would not take Bolt's sprinting feats seriously until Jamaica introduces random drug testing for its athletes.
Bolt admitted that drug testing was not at its best in Jamaica but that because he was a top sprinter he was tested "all the time."
"In Jamaica we do not have the facilities but they do test now and then. But I get tested because when you are in the top 20 in the world you get random testing.
"I get tested a lot but we just do not get the facilities in Jamaica to do so much testing like in big countries such as the US.
"Drug testing generally is doing a good job at clamping down on athletes and the sport is getting cleaner," he said.
