Stockholm: The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt is back in action at the Diamond League meeting here on Friday and hoping to erase bad memories of last year.
Twelve months ago, the Jamaican, who is the reigning world and Olympic champion as well as world record holder at 100m and 200m, suffered a shock defeat in the 100m at the hands of the American Tyson Gay.
However, he has been lured back to the Swedish capital for the 11th stop on the Diamond League circuit — his appearance fee is two million kronor (USD 310,000) according to local media — and will feature this time in the 200m, which he considers his better distance.
“I will be back — and I will not lose,” said Bolt, who is gearing up not just for next month’s world championships in Daegu, South Korea but for next year’s London Olympics.
His biggest competition on Friday is likely to come from Panama’s Alonso Edward, who collected silver behind Bolt at the 2009 world championships, and Norway’s Jaysuma Saidy Ndure, both of whom have run under 20secs. (AFP)