BY VERNON DAVIDSON—
American actor, film producer, and humanitarian Danny Glover rates Usain Bolt as the greatest sprinter ever and has predicted that the Jamaican Olympic and world champion will successfully defend his titles at the Rio Olympic Games next year.
According to Glover, who was in Jamaica last week as a guest of University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles, the world had never before seen an athlete like Bolt.
“A man with his physical gifts — amazing,” said Glover, his tone indicating the respect he has for the tall sprinter.
“I don’t think there’s been an athlete like that. There’s never been a sprinter with the gifts… and the area that he covers in a short period of time. It’s amazing. It’s poetry, it’s beautiful to watch. Poetry in motion,” Glover said.
Bolt, the current world record holder in the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds), has been winning global titles since he was 15 when he won the 200m, his pet event, at the World Junior Championships in Jamaica.
Since then, he has blazed a trail of victories in the sprints, including the 4x100m relays for Jamaica, at both the Olympic Games and World Championships.
The only time he missed out on a major title was in 2011 at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea when he false-started in the 100m final and was disqualified.
Last August, he erased all doubts about his greatness when he won both sprints and helped Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m relay at the World Championships in Beijing, China, despite a less than active season due to injury.
Bolt, who is now 29 years old, has said he intends to retire after the Rio Olympics next year, adding that he hopes to stop the clock under 19 seconds in the 200m in the process.
“I think he will win in Rio, and he will win at [age] 32 as well,” said Glover, who is known worldwide for his role as Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh in the blockbuster Lethal Weapon film series.
Asked whether he thinks Bolt will be able to break his world records, Glover said: “That depends on how he’s pushed. He’s one of those rare sports figures.”
“I’m a big fan of his,” Glover added. “He’s the greatest runner ever, without a doubt.”
You must log in to post a comment.