Track Profile: Bolt’s Encore Tour Begins in Zurich on Friday, by Bob Ramsak, notes by Larry Eder

What a difference a year makes…last year in Osaka, Usain Bolt was not pleased when Tyson Gay beat him, catching him from behind. Bolt was known at the time, as a, shall we say, not completely movitvated trainer. The story we were told was that Bolt then asked Coach Mills to get him into shape and Usain Bolt devoted this past year to making sure Tyson Gay did not beat him like that again..as you can see, Mr. Bolt was quite successful….

TRACK PROFILE Report #817
28-August-2008
BOLT’s ENCORE TOUR BEGINS IN ZURICH ON FRIDAY
By Bob Ramsak
(c) 2008 TRACK PROFILE Report, all rights reserved
ZURICH — Usain Bolt isn’t making any promises on how he’ll follow up on his unprecedented triple gold/world record combo from the Olympic Games, but he insists that he’s hardly out of steam.
“It was a long trip to get here, but I’m not tired at all,” the 22-year-old Jamaican said as he prepares this return to the track at Friday’s Weltklasse Golden League feature in Zurich. His first of three world records in Beijing came in the 100 where he stopped the clock in 9.69 seconds, and it’s that event that he’ll contest here. He’ll face many of the men he humbled in the Chinese capital, including Richard Thompson and Walter Dix, the silver and bronze medallists.
“I’ve done a little training since I got here. I’m trying to get the blood pumping again in preparation for Friday evening.”
Bolt captivated the planet’s imagination in Bejing when he turned the sprinting world upside down. He followed up his 100m victory with an all-out effort in the 200m final, where he broked Michael Johnson’s legendary 12-year-old mark with his 19.30 dash.
The way he romped to victory in the 100 in Beijing, shutting down well before the finish line in celebration instead of acceleration has left the world wondering how fast he could have actually run. He’s not making any predictions here, but another world record is hardly out of the question. His coach, Glen Mills, suggested that there is plenty more to come from his protégé.
“I haven’t seen the complete biomechanical report from Beijing yet,” Mills said, “but I can say that Usain had a good start by his own standard. His first 60 meters were very good. I was told that with an all-out finish after the opening 60, Usain was projected to run a 9.52.”
Added Mills, “It’s only his first year with serious work in the 100 meters. In two more years, he should be peaking.”