World record not on Bolt's mind

Rio de Janeiro, March 24 (IANS)

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt says he is not thinking about setting up a new world record at next week’s 150m exhibition event on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach.

The six-time Olympic champion already holds the fastest ever 150m time with a mark of 14.36 seconds achieved in Manchester in 2009.

“I never think about breaking world records before an event,” the 26-year-old was quoted as saying by Xinhua Saturday. “I try to run as fast as I can and then I look at the board to see the time.”

Dubbed Mano a Mano – meaning hand in hand in Portuguese – the Rio exhibition will be staged on a temporary track to be built on the sand.

Bolt will compete against Ecuador’s Ibero-American 100m and 200m champion Alex Quinonez, US 200m runner Wallace Spearmon and a yet to be confirmed Brazilian athlete, organisers said.

“I hope it’s going to be a great event and that a lot of people come along to watch,” Bolt said. “The energy from the crowd always helps us to run faster.”

It will be Bolt’s second trip to Rio, having visited the city last year as part of a promotional tour organised by his sponsor Puma.

Bolt won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay events at 2008 Beijing Olympics and the London Games last year.