UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Usain Bolt could find switch to long jump difficult says nine times Olympic champion Carl Lewis

Record ID: 330371

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Usain Bolt could find switch to long jump difficult says nine times Olympic champion Carl Lewis
  • Date: 16th March 2011
  • Summary: LEWIS TALKING TO CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 31st March 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2A7R1U7W3N4NLFH4KAT2AT1K1
  • Story Text: Usain Bolt should concentrate on retaining his Olympic 100 and 200 metres titles before considering a move into other events, nine times Olympic champion Carl Lewis said on Tuesday (March 15).
    Bolt emulated Lewis by winning gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay in a single Games at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, the American also won four consecutive long jump titles.
    The Jamaican, who will be the hottest ticket in town at the London Games next year, said recently he was considering the long jump and also the 400.
    "Long jump is a tough one though because what people have to realise is that I was a long jumper who sprinted," Lewis told Reuters at a 2012 ticket launch alongside London's Tower Bridge.
    "It's a lot more difficult to come from the sprints to the long jump. It's not as simple as people think. If it wasn't so, a lot more sprinters would become long jumpers.
    "So I think he could run the 400 or try other events and if he does, it'd be wonderful and good luck to him."
    Bolt, 24, the quickest man ever in the 100 and 200 metres, will be the man to beat at the world championships in Daegu this year where he will also be defending both titles.
    Dominant as he is, however, Lewis urged caution for those already pencilling him for a golden haul in London.
    "No matter who you are, or what you are, the thing at the Olympics is that anything can happen," the 49-year-old Lewis, his hair now flecked with grey, said.
    "I went to four of them (Olympics) and something different always did. The biggest thing is just to take it like every other event.
    Bolt has been largely unbeatable since 2008 with only American Tyson Gay appearing anywhere near his level.
    But Lewis warned it did not take much for the tide to turn.
    "It really doesn't matter how far you're out there. You've just got to focus, be the best you can be and make sure you try to have your best race that day," he added.
    In 1991, Mike Powell famously leaped 8.95 metres (29 feet 4-1/2 inches) to beat Lewis to the gold medal at the world championships and break Bob Beamon's 1968 world record.
    Lewis said Bolt's stunning performances since 2008 had raised the bar considerably in the sport, despite the lack of a clear rival.
    "I didn't feel I needed that, although it was great to have the rivalry, I thought it was great for the sport.
    "For instance I had numerous wins in the 100 metres and then of course Mike Powell (as a rival) mainly in the long jump.
    "I personally focused on the way I was trained and coached, focused on the performances and distances so that's what helped me stay out in front for a long time.
    "But it also helped the other guys around me because they knew that Carl was not going to be standing still and they needed to get better and better."
    Lewis is relishing the prospect of his fourth Olympic Games as a fan and after a tour of the main stadium on Tuesday, believed London will put on a great show.
    "I always go to new events so I'm going to try and look and see what sports I've not seen before," he said.
    "Because each time I go to the Olympic track stadium one time, one day, that's it.
    "And other than that I've been to badminton, rowing, ping pong, team handball...just all kinds of different sports. So I want try something new. I think archery is one I'd like to see live and maybe something else."
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