• Diamond League

Bolt vows to learn from mistakes

ESPN staff
July 7, 2011
Usain Bolt was in winning form in Oslo this year © Getty Images
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Usain Bolt has admitted he needs to work harder in training if he is to repeat his stunning efforts of 2008 and 2009.

The Jamaican is the fastest man on the planet and after storming to Olympic gold in the 100m and 200m in 2008, he followed it up with record-breaking displays in the same events at the World Championships in 2009.

The 2010 season proved one to forget for Bolt, who was plagued by niggling injuries and suffered a shock defeat to his big rival Tyson Gay.

Bolt has admitted he let his standards slip in 2010, which he claims led to his injury problems, and is determined to ensure there is no repeat as he builds up to this year's World Championships and the Olympic Games in London next summer.

"My coach [Glen Mills] said I would never get it easy again, as when it gets easy I get lazy," Bolt said ahead of the Diamond League meeting in Paris on Friday. "I was too laid back, I stopped doing my back exercises and that is partially why I got injured.

"The key is learning from your mistakes and becoming a better person."

Bolt holds the 100m record at 9.58 seconds and 200m record at 19.19. They will be tough milestones to pass, but in a chilling warning to his rivals Bolt feels he knows what is required to get back to that level.

"I know what I need to get back to the top," he said. "My focus is getting back the Usain Bolt that everyone knows and loves.

"I've said I want to become a legend and defending my world titles, back to back, would make me one of the few to have done that."

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