Remarked by an experienced mainstream journalist as ‘the most heavily attended press conference he had ever attended in his 20 year career’, Usain Bolt’s Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games (SAG) Press Conference at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel yesterday 23rd July was standing room only.
Caribbean superstar athlete, Jamaican Usain Bolt was the main attraction at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games Press Conference where he was met by local and international journalists including CaribDirect ahead of the Games beginning today and ending on Sunday 26th July.
Billed for the Queen Elisabeth Olympic Park in London, six London 2012 Olympic medalists are expected to participate in defence of their medals. They all made appearances to speak with the press sharing their thoughts and expectations on what is expected to be an exciting event in damp weather.
Super cool Usain strolled in just a little after the scheduled start time with his usual charming smile and a slight grin…not sure if the grin was for the severely limited space in the room (even to get to the head table) or because he was clearly the tallest man in the room.
Usain Bolt entering the SAG press room. Photo courtesy CaribDirect
When asked about his earlier experience at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium, he said: “it’s one of the most memorable stadiums I have run in. The crowd was absolutely fantastic and I’m looking forward to competing here again”
He was asked what are his plans after Beijing 4 weeks away, and the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, he said: “This is my focus. I said I would retire after Rio but my sponsors have asked me to stay on for another year so I’m considering it. We’ll see how it goes, but it’s likely to be my last World Championships.”
Usain Bolt answering questions. Photo courtesy CaribDirect Multi-Media
In light of his injuries he was asked how confident he was that he was in shape to compete, he said: “I really won’t know until tomorrow. My coach has been pushing me very hard with the training and we are both confident that I have been working on what I need to concentrate on to succeed. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
David F. Roberts from CaribDirect asked him about the pressure of being a Jamaican and living up to the expectations of Brand Jamaica and he said: I’m very proud to be Jamaican and I’m always conscious about that and I think I’ve been a great ambassador for Jamaica over the years. Everywhere I go I’m brand Jamaica and I’ll continue to do all I can to ‘bigup’ my country.
Usain Bolt. Photo courtesy CaribDirect Multi-Media
The first of many questions about dishonest athletes came in as a journalist asked Usian what it’s like being on the start line alongside a known cheat or someone who has been banned and returned to the sport. Does he look them in the eye? He replied: There’s not much I can do, it’s tough but there are rules and we all have to abide by them and if the authorities see it fit to permit them to compete, I have to accept it’.
On the Mo Farah alleged coach doping affair Usain said he was particularly saddened by the scandal because he and Mo are friends. He made it clear that he trusts Mo and whatever decision he takes about his coach he will support it. In spite of the bad weather forecast for the Games today Usain confirmed he will give of his best and delight the fans. See entire interview on CaribDirectTV coming soon…See BBC video below courtesy bbc.co.uk:
