Fresh off his triple-triple in Rio last month, Usain Bolt is now preparing for his final season in athletics.
The 30-year-old Jamaican icon was speaking on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk this afternoon, discussing his extraordinary career to date along with his plans for one final season on the track, and his childhood battle with scoliosis.
He also revealed his relationship with Denis O'Brien, whose company, Digicell, sponsor the Jamaican sprinter. Of O'Brien, Bolt said:
He’s my boy, you know what I mean.
To which Kenny replied, “He’s my boss, too”.
Bolt continued:
He’s really a nice person and obviously he has faith in me, he has made me a job for life.
The fastest man ever recorded also fielded some questions about his bitter rivalry with Justin Gatlin, whom the media and fans depicted as the villain of the piece at this summer's Games.
When asked if he was aware that the integrity of athletics was perceived to be resting on Bolt's shoulders in Brazil, he said:
The sport is like that because of what he [Gatlin] represents I think. I just look at him like a competitor. I can't be the one [to talk], because I don't make the rules.
I live for a great crowd. When there's a great crowd, it really helps you run fast. I can just imagine if the crowd is booing you, what it can do to you.
It's a wonderful feeling. I really enjoy it. It's a great feeling to have [to know] that you are loved so much. You work so hard and people really, really recognise what you have done. It's a great feeling.
Bolt will draw the curtain on his career at the Worlds in London next August, and told Kenny that he intends to remain in track and field for the foreseeable future, but ruled out a return to the starting line for Tokyo 2020.
To listen back to the full interview head over to Newstalk.
