After bagging three gold medals in the Beijing World Championships, Usain Bolt now wants to focus on the biggest stage of all -- the 2016 Rio Olympics -- which will also be his last Olympics.
The Jamaican stands a chance to win a hat-trick of triple Olympic gold medals, after winning titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay during the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. Ever since his record-breaking run in the 100m and 200m at the Beijing Olympics, there is a sense of expectations surrounding the Jamaican, and more will be expected at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The flamboyant sprinter, who loves the spotlight, wants to go out in style, considering 2016 Olympics will be his last.
"My big goal now is the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. It will be my last Olympics and I would like to go out in style," The Times of India quoted Bolt as saying.
Talking about signing out in style, one wonders if he is preparing to go all out to break his 100m record or the 200m record. Bolt's coach Glen Mills believes Bolt may not be able to break the 100m record, but the 2016 Olympics could witness the Jamaican trump his 200m record of 19.19s.
With Bolt on the track one cannot discount such feats, especially after his amazing run in the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, where the Jamaican defeated Justin Gatlin, who was considered favourite in the 100m and 200m.
Even critics and experts put Gatlin as favourite for the gold in the sprint events, with the American putting up great times in the Diamond League, leading up to the World Championships. But they were all silenced by Bolt.
"I just focus on myself and don't get caught up in what people are saying," said Bolt.
The Olympics has always been the biggest competition for athletes all around the world, and Bolt will head into the competition as one of the most popular of those athletes. Another Gatlin vs Bolt run is on the cards, in both the 100 and the 200m, but Bolt feels some new challengers could also emerge in Rio.
"Every year throws up new challengers and I don't expect 2016 to be any different," Bolt said.