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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 15, 2009

Track: Usain Bolt says he’s examined his life after crash


By ROB HARRIS
AP Sports Writer

MANCHESTER, England — Usain Bolt says a recent car crash has forced him to reassess his life.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist crashed his car into a ditch along a highway in Jamaica last month. He had minor surgery on his left foot after stepping on thorns while getting out of the car.
“After something like that you look at life through and over, and look at what has gone wrong — where you should improve or should be careful,” Bolt said Friday.
Bolt returns to competition Sunday in a 150-meter street race in Manchester.
The accident has been linked to criticism of Bolt’s lifestyle since he set world records in the 100, 200 and 400-meter relay at the Beijing Olympics.
The 22-year-old Bolt acknowledged that the crash caused him to analyze his lifestyle.
“I was just frightened. I was not thinking about my career and then, when it calmed down, I started thinking about what could have happened and everything else,” he said.
Despite his coach urging him to pullout of the Manchester event, Bolt plans to break Donovan Bailey’s 12-year-old mark of 14.99 seconds in the rarely run 150.
“I ran 14 something, but I have run it only in training. I don’t go worrying about times. That is when you start running slower,” Bolt said. “It is a competition for me because I take everything seriously. You cannot compare it with breaking the world records, but I told my coach that I really wanted to come here.”
He also came to see his favorite soccer team, Manchester United. He will be at Old Trafford on Saturday for United’s match against Arsenal.
Bolt advised speedy winger Cristiano Ronaldo how to adjust the running technique that torments defenses but often has him tumbling to the ground.
“I want to run on the pitch and score in the net if they let me,” Bolt said. “It will be something for me to have pictures of.”
While the foot operation has put his preparations behind schedule, Bolt feels he can peak at the Berlin world championships in August.
“I’m getting there. I’m a little bit off, but I think I will get there by Berlin,” Bolt said. “I’m focusing on just one thing and that’s getting to a world championship and doing as good as possible ... if I want to be a legend, I have to keep working at it. That’s what keeps me going.”