Powell's coach believes Bolt's record is in danger
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| Published on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 |
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By Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com
MELBOURNE, Australia: Stephen Francis, the man who conditioned several of Jamaica’s recent Olympic heroes, including sprint ace Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Melaine Walker, among others, vows that Powell will be on target to replace Usain Bolt as the 100m world record holder this coming season.
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| Asafa Powell. AFP PHOTO |
"I expect Asafa to be able to run well enough this year to break the world record," Francis was quoted as saying during his MVP Track Club training champ in Australia last week.
Francis also made a bold statement that suggested that Bolt will have to carve a huge portion off the previous world record of 9.69 seconds if he is to triumph over Powell when they meet this year.
The experienced sprint coach added that Bolt, track and field’s biggest stud since his phenomenal performances at the Olympics last summer, will also need to set aside all his distractions if he’s to match or better that ‘Superman’ outing.
"I don't know how good Usain Bolt is. People claim that he is Superman, but one thing I do know is we will find out this year, because if he is not Superman he is going to find the races with this Powell will be different than last year," said Francis.
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| Usain Bolt. AFP PHOTO |
"If Bolt is Superman and can beat everybody without trying, then I think he will handle it quite well. But I think they are going to have a problem if he is more mortal than they think he is and he has to work hard to maintain his form.
Francis, who has known Bolt since he was labeled as ‘the troubled prodigy’ as a high schooler, and at one point reportedly turned down an opportunity to coach him, acknowledged that Bolt deserves all the hype he currently gets, but warns that things could very well back fire.
"Usain is a star, and has always been a star and was expected to be a star. In Usain's mind there can be no superlatives that he doesn't believe," he said.
"So it can become difficult for him to be controlled, and for him to continue to do well. If he is not Superman, he has to be controlled and only time will tell how successful his handlers are."
Bolt, who opened his season with couple of 400-metres will contest his first 100m this season this weekend on home soil. | | | | Reads : 1752 | | | |
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