Johnson: Bolt uses my fitness programme

Jamaica-born Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson has claimed current world record holder Usain Bolt still uses a fitness programme that was developed by him soon after his retirement.

The Falmouth-born Johnson, who was banned from the sport of track and field for drug use and stripped of a gold medal only hours after winning the 100m dash in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, has since taken up coaching football and runs a sports academy in Canada. The former sprinter, also laid claim to helping Argentina football great Diego Maradona with his fitness in the 90s.

"Over the years I have developed a programme which can help the players improve their physical fitness and mental aptitude. I've used them on many including Diego Maradona whom I trained for three weeks in 1997. Even Usain (Bolt) follows my programme," Johnson told India-based online publication The Hindu.

In one of the biggest Olympic scandals to date, the sprinter clocked an astounding 9.79 to take Olympic gold, but his urine samples were later found to contain the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol.

Johnson, still a big fan of the sport is also a fan of Bolt and believes, like American record holder Michael Johnson, who was devastating over both the 200 and 400m, that the sprinter could be even better if he improves certain aspects of his race.

"I think he needs to improve his start. He also needs to work more on his flight. There's no doubt he is the best and would continue to be with his hard work and dedication," Johnson said.

Bolt, is currently preparing to defend both his 100m and 200m titles at next month's IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.