• Athletics

Bolt planning switch to long jump after 2012

ESPN staff
July 8, 2010
Usain Bolt returns to action on Thursday evening in the Diamond League © Getty Images
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Usain Bolt has revealed that he will retire from sprint competition if he races to gold in the 2012 Olympics - and compete in the long jump instead.

The 23-year-old, who holds the world record in the 100 and 200 metres, had been expected to step up to 400m - but he is planning to turn his attentions to the pit for the 2016 Games.

"If I win the sprint races in the 2012 Olympics in London I will try the long jump at the following Olympics," he said.

"I will have to retire [from sprinting] because people will be sick of seeing me win. I'm hoping I don't lose because if I did I would have to try and redeem myself."

Bolt will make his return to sprint action on Thursday evening at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne after an injury layoff caused by an Achilles problem. His much-anticipated showdown with Asafa Powell, who has set the best 100m time in the world this year, will take place the following week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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