EUGENE – Former Olympic sprint champion Maurice Greene has dismissed the notion that Jamaican Usain Bolt can rescale the lofty heights of 2008 when he established two mind-boggling world records in the 100 and 200 metres.
Greene said he expected the marquee 100 metres at the upcoming London Olympics to be a very competitive affair as Bolt was no longer in the shape he was four years ago.
Bolt won the 100 metres in 9.69 seconds before returning to win the 200 metres in 19.30 seconds, to headline the Beijing Olympics.
“The race in London is going to be a lot closer than a lot of people think. It’s going to be a really exciting race,” said Greene, who won 100 metres gold in Sydney 12 years ago.
“I’m going to tell you right now, he can’t do that [set a new world record].
“I look at people. I analyze their races. He hasn’t shown to me to be in that type of shape that he was in in 2008.”
He added: “If he is in that kind of shape he’s going to win. I don’t think he’s in that kind of shape.
“He’s having problems from zero to 65 [metres]. From there to the finish, that’s just him. You have to be with him at 70.”
Following the Beijing Olympics, Bolt lowered both records to 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds, in the 100 metres and 200 metres respectively, at the World Championships in Berlin a year later.
His attempt to defend both titles at last year’s showpiece in Daegu was met with disappointment, however, as he false started in the 100 metres to suffer disqualification. He won the 200 metres in 19.40 seconds.
Greene warned, however, that following Bolt’s disqualification, the 25-year-old would be anxious to prove his quality.
“He has done it before so you have to prepare accordingly. If you want the gold, you have to be prepared to go to that area,” the American said.
“Usain is talking about his legacy. He wants to prove he should have won when he was knocked out. I don’t think he would have won. I know when someone has something to prove, he is dangerous.” (CMC)
