Focus is on gold

DAEGU, South Korea:

The world's fastest man is ready to defend his titles in Daegu.

Usain Bolt, the Olympic and World 100 and 200 metres champion and world record holder, says that he is in good physical shape following his well-documented injury problems last season, and that he is champing at the bit to get started here in Daegu, South Korea, at the IAAF World Athletics Championships.

"I am focused, I am ready and I am going to get it done," Bolt declared yesterday during a Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Puma joint press conference at the Daeduk Cultural Hall.

Bolt, who has struggled with back problems in the recent past, assured that he has fully recovered, and save for the need to iron out a few kinks in his technique, is more than ready to turn back all comers once more.

Getting there

"I am fine, the challenges have been really to get back into shape; technique and so forth, fitness-wise I am good, but as far as technique is concerned I wouldn't say that I am 100 per cent," Bolt confessed. "But I am getting there and I am happy where it is at this stage, and I will be going out there to do my best."

American sprinter Tyson Gay, who had to pull out of the championships because of a hip problem, yesterday stated that he believes that Bolt will once again win at the World Championships because of the Jamaican's 'championship pedigree'.

It doesn't happen often, but this time around Bolt agrees with his US rival.

"I have proven it (championship pedigree) twice so I guess he (Gay) knows what he is talking about," Bolt laughed, before getting into his approach at major meets.

"To me, I think that at championships I am much more focused even if I am not doing too well in training and messing up, but when it comes to a major championship, I have a different focus because I really want it," Bolt said.

"This time I want it even more because I want to be a legend, and I have been working very hard this season because I am coming back from injury, but now I am focused, I'm ready and I am going to get it done," he assured.

Not bothered

The 25-year-old went on to point out that he is never bothered by the heightened expectation around his performances.

"People always expect a lot from me. Personally, I am always focused on winning and pressure has always been there even before I won my first gold medal," said Bolt. "It's just the same thing, I always want to win and I always want to run fast so I don't look at it as pressure, I just see it as everybody wanting to see me do my best, so I go out there and do my best."

Bolt will get his 100m campaign under way on Saturday at 7:45 a.m. Jamaican time, with the final scheduled for Sunday at 6:45 a.m. (Jamaica time).

The 200m heats start on September 1 at 9:10 p.m. (Jamaica time) with the final set for September 3 at 7:20 a.m. (Jamaica time).