4x400m a sprint to far for Usain Bolt?
Posted By Joe on November 29, 2011
Grosremy/Dreamstime
“I will probably be in good shape and I know the guys are really stepping up the 400m level in Jamaica. I definitely would want to try because if I do as well as in Berlin (in 2009), the 4x400m would top it off and even make it much better.” – Usain Bolt.
Bolt announced last week that he wants to run the 4x400m at the London Olympic Games in a bid to become the first athlete since American Carl Lewis in Los Angeles, 1984, to win 4 gold medals at a single Olympics. Already one of the most marketable athletes on the planet, Bolt has repeatedly said that he wants to become “A Legend” of the sport, and this is clearly something he feels will help him to get there, even if the only person who seems unsure of his future legendary status is the man himself.
But is this a feasible goal, or is Bolt biting off more than even he can chew? One man who certainly feels that 4 events could be one too many is Bolt’s predecessor as 200m World Record holder and current 400m World Record holder Michael Johnson. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live last week, Johnson said that he believes it would be too distracting from Bolt’s 100m and 200m training, which could damage his chances in the shorter sprints.
“You can’t train for the 400 [as well], it would be an absolute distraction and the training wouldn’t work,” says Johnson. “I think he could be the world-record holder at 400 metres but he’s said that he has no interest in training for it, which I can understand – it’s a difficult race to train for. I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to repeat as an Olympic gold medalist in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m, but the 4x400m is going to be tough.”
It is easy to see Johnson’s logic. Training to run well in 2 events is difficult enough, and it seems very unlikely that the Jamaican selectors would take Bolt in the 4x400m without him proving his fitness over the longer sprint at some point in the season before London. This means that Bolt would have to be in great 100m, 200m and 400m shape throughout the course of the whole season, a big ask in Olympic year. For someone who has had instances of back and hamstring problems since Berlin in 2009, the increased workload could be a little too much.
And even if the recently crowned World Athlete of the Year was to make an attempt, it certainly would not be a foregone conclusion. Since his heroics at the Olympic games in Beijing in 2008, it is almost expected that he will win every time he steps in the track. Over 100m, he has been beaten only once since then, in 2010 to Tyson Gay (not counting heats or semi finals). He is unbeaten in the same period over 200m. And the Jamaican team looks indestructible over the 4x100m, with the likes of Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater all fighting for a place on a World Record holding relay squad.
However, the case is much different in the 4x400m. Jamaica, looking to end a 60 year drought in the event, had only one man ranked in the top 30 athletes in the world last year over 400m. Compare this to 12 from the USA, including the reigning and former Olympic 400m champions in LaShawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner. Throw in 2 time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Angelo Taylor, and it would take a brave man to bet against the USA winning the 4x400m title in London next year, dashing Bolt’s hopes in the process.
Bolt may not have it all his own way in the shorter sprints, either. Even without Tyson Gay in the picture this year, it took Bolt until the last race of the year to finally run a world leading time; until this point, he was ranked a lowly 6th in the World, and only 4th in his own country. With Gay back in the mix next summer, Bolt could have a real battle on his hands for the 100m title in London. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure, especially after his false start at the World Championships this year.
The man who took the title that day has established himself firmly as a big rival to Bolt over 200m as well. Yohan Blake took everyone, including Bolt, by surprise in Brussels this summer, running a scorching 19.26 seconds to become the 2nd fastest man of all time. Going into previous global championships, Bolt has had such a cushion in terms of his seasons bests that the 200m has been a procession; no longer.
The man himself has never been one to lack confidence. His showboating before, during and after each of his races has become a common theme, and a big crowd pleaser, over the last four years. Speaking about his plans for the Olympics, Bolt said, “”If I can help to get them a gold medal, I will want to go on that team. I’ve expressed that to my coach. If I am fit I think I can do it.” He dismissed fears over the back injuries which have held him back in the last two years, saying, “Injury-wise, I am great. I have no problem, and I [have] started high-intensity training.” Most interesting, perhaps, were his comments about Blake, his training partner. “The 200 is my favourite event. I won’t let Yohan beat me,” Bolt said, “I’ve said that to him. The 100 – maybe!”
If Blake runs to the best of his ability, Bolt will have to come up with something very special. Fortunately for him, very special seems to be his specialty.
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