London: Iconic Usain Bolt hopes the younger generation can receive a message from his legendary experience — anything is possible if one works hard.
Retiring Jamaican “lightning” Bolt put on one last appearance on Sunday, the final day of the London World Championships as the 100 metre and 200 metre world record holder went on a lap of honour in a specially arranged farewell ceremony in front of the sell-out spectators.
The 11-time world champion and eight-time Olympic gold medalist made a final signature arrow-shooting stance and then left the track for good, Xinhua reported.
“I’ve proven that by working hard, anything is possible. For me, I was sitting down today and doing an interview. My motto is anything is possible,” said the 30-year-old.
“It shows that everyone should continue trying. I personally feel this is a good message to send to youngsters to push on. If I can leave that to the younger generation, then that’s a good legacy to leave,” Bolt told a packed news conference.
The end of Bolt’s career was far from perfect, a bronze in the 100m and he didn’t make the finish line of his last race, the 4x100m relay as he had to limp off the track with injury.
“One championship doesn’t change what I’ve done. After losing the 100m someone said to me, ‘Muhamnmed Ali lost his last fight so don’t be too stressed.’ I have shown my credentials throughout my career so losing my last race isn’t going to change what I’ve done in my sport,” said Bolt.
Bolt said right now he had no plan for the future and just wanted to do things he was previously couldn’t as an athlete, such as “have a party and have a drink”.
But no matter what he will do in the future, Bolt said he would not return to run again.
“I have seen too many people retire and come back and just make it worse, shame themselves. So I personally won’t. I won’t be those stars to come back,” he said.
After the lap of honour, Bolt received a framed part of the London track from London mayor Sadiq Khan and Sebastian Coe, head of the ruling body IAAF, who often speaks highly of the legendary runner.
IANS