Bolt's Stockholm demons put to rest

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt finally put his demons of Stockholm to rest when he coasted to an easy win in the 200 metres at the DN Galan Diamond League meet in Stockholm.

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt finally put his demons of Stockholm to rest when he coasted to an easy win in the 200 metres at the DN Galan Diamond League meet in Stockholm.

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Having lost his two previous outings in the Swedish capital, the Jamaican rebounded to snatch the half-lap in an uncharacteristically slow 20.03 seconds, to make it up for his recent disappointments. He lost in 2008 to compatriot Asafa Powell and was upset last August by American Tyson Gay, both defeats coming over 100 metres.

Reverting to his favoured event Friday, Bolt found no equal in the field as he powered through the first 100 metres before streaking effortlessly down the stretch virtually unchallenged.

“Technically it was not a good race because the curves here are a bit tight,” the World and Olympic 100 and 200m champion said afterward.

The time was perhaps the only blot on Bolt’s outing as it fell short of the 15-year-old stadium record of 19.77 seconds set by legendary American Michael Johnson. He was also outside his world-leading 19.86 seconds which was set in Oslo last month.

Johnson’s take
Canadian Ben Johnson, who was caught in of one of the most sensational doping scandals, claimed that Diego Maradona and Usain Bolt followed his fitness programme that he developed after retirement.

Asked about the recent Indian doping scandal, said, “Over the years I have developed a programme which can help the players improve their physical fitness and mental aptitude. I’ve used them on many including Maradona whom I trained for three weeks in 1997. Even Bolt follows my programme.”

Johnson, who is here in connection with the trial of his two Indian origin wards with Salgaocar, felt that 100m world record holder Bolt is the best sprinter now and he can do even better.