Outdoor Track and Field on Flotrack 2013Sep 4, 2013 by Christopher Chavez
Usain Bolt to retire after Rio 2016
Usain Bolt to retire after Rio 2016
Olympic and World Champion sprinter Usain Bolt announced his plans to retire after the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Wednesday's report from the Associated
Olympic and World Champion sprinter Usain Bolt announced his plans to retire after the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Wednesday's report from the Associated Press is nothing new after Bolt originally made the announcement in 2011 to a German newspaper and reiterated it at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
Defending his gold medals, improving upon his 200-meter world record and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games remain on Bolt's checklist before retirement.
Bolt will turn 30-years-old on the day of the Summer Olympics' closing ceremony, so it may also be treated as one big retirement party for arguably the greatest sprinter of all-time. The Jamaican told reporters in Moscow that he wants his name to be among the all-time greats of all sports like Muhammad Ali and Pele.
His competition in Rio will be strong as top competitors like training partner Yohan Blake will only be 26-years-old. World Championship 200-meter silver medalist Warren Weir will be 25-years-old.
Over the last few years, stories have emerged about Bolt contemplating new events like the long jump or 400-meter dash at the next Olympics. Those stories have been dismissed and Bolt will focus on continuing his short sprint dominance. His plans of playing for Manchester United after retirement remain hopeful.
Injuries or a change of mind can easily rethink plans for Bolt's retirement, but until then the 2016 Diamond League circuit appears to serve as his farewell tour leading up to the Olympics.
Chris Chavez is a staff writer for Flotrack and a journalism major at Marquette University. He once beat Joey Fatone of NSYNC in a half-marathon. Feel free to to reach him with any questions, comments, or feedback on Twitter or by email.
Defending his gold medals, improving upon his 200-meter world record and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games remain on Bolt's checklist before retirement.
Bolt will turn 30-years-old on the day of the Summer Olympics' closing ceremony, so it may also be treated as one big retirement party for arguably the greatest sprinter of all-time. The Jamaican told reporters in Moscow that he wants his name to be among the all-time greats of all sports like Muhammad Ali and Pele.
His competition in Rio will be strong as top competitors like training partner Yohan Blake will only be 26-years-old. World Championship 200-meter silver medalist Warren Weir will be 25-years-old.
Over the last few years, stories have emerged about Bolt contemplating new events like the long jump or 400-meter dash at the next Olympics. Those stories have been dismissed and Bolt will focus on continuing his short sprint dominance. His plans of playing for Manchester United after retirement remain hopeful.
Injuries or a change of mind can easily rethink plans for Bolt's retirement, but until then the 2016 Diamond League circuit appears to serve as his farewell tour leading up to the Olympics.
Chris Chavez is a staff writer for Flotrack and a journalism major at Marquette University. He once beat Joey Fatone of NSYNC in a half-marathon. Feel free to to reach him with any questions, comments, or feedback on Twitter or by email.