Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Jamaica's Bolt says he's no joker

Monday, February 12, 2007

by: Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica's World Junior 200-metre record holder Usain Bolt has rejected talk of him still acting like a kid and not taking the track and field business seriously.

Bolt, who became the youngest ever world junior champion at age 15, reportedly joked out his preparations for the 2006 season, as he failed to turn out for practice.

However, the 20-year-old said he is still young and wants to enjoy his track career, in spite of what people might say.

"I am always serious - but there is a kid in everybody, so people might see me doing things and might judge it wrong, but that's just me," Bolt was quoted as saying at the Camperdown Classic at Stadium East in Kingston on Saturday.

"I am young and track and field is my career and it is the thing that puts food on my table, I also have to have fun and enjoy life. I enjoy life, but I take my track and field very serious."

Meanwhile, Bolt opened his 2007 campaign with an impressive 45.92 win in the men's 400m at the Classic. His winning time was the third fastest this year behind American world junior record holder LaShawn Merritt, who easily improved the previous best to 45.51.

After a competitive opening 200m, which was clocked at 20.80secs, Bolt pulled away from the field to win easily and after sitting out this event for a while he was happy with his performance.

"I think it's a very good time. I haven't run a 400m in a while, so I think I did pretty well and I have a lot more time to improve down in the year," he said.

Leeford Green (46.98), who ran neck-and-neck with Bolt in the opening half of the race finished second overall ahead of Xavier Brown, who took the second heat in 47.27, just ahead of Olympic 400m hurdles silver medallist Danny McFarlane.

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