Olympics: Bolt's persona next only to Muhammad Ali

You can blame Usain Bolt for this belated dispatch. While he won the 100m final in a sizzling 9.63 secs, it took him a couple of hours more to come to the mixed zone where athletes interact almost informally with the media (in groups) followed by the official press conference which is common for everybody. Not many journalists left the mixed zone area though Bolt took an eternity to arrive. By the time he was through, it was approaching midnight — but the celebrations of expat Jamaicans (though I think it was everybody of Caribbean descent finding common joy and cause) were only just beginnings if the mood in the streets and bars was any indication. Before I get further, without further ado, I must confess that Sunday was the headiest day in 33 years in journalism. Women’s boxing at the Olympics is a major breakthrough in the history of sport, to see an Indian woman take the ring even more so.  Then Andy Murray got the better of Roger Federer on Wimbledon’s centre court to win a title that he will covet more than any Grand Slam he may win in future. To cap the day came supersonic Bolt. Even the gods could not have asked for more. [caption id=“attachment_407004” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Bolt has become the cynosure of the entire world. AP[/caption] I had thought the Race of the Century  in Seoul, 1988 would never be exceeded for spectacle, rivalry, drama and record, but the 100m final at London 2012 tops that by many notches. Seven of the eight starters finished under 10 secs, there was an Olympic record and Bolt’s showmanship to savour. Unless some of these runners are fouled for some hanky-panky a few years down the road — which is not uncommon in the history of track and field — I think this will remain the Race of the 21st century. For the present though, Bolt has become the cynosure of the entire world. His showmanship – the mandatory post-race posture of an archer aiming for the skies is deserving of an Oscar — has raised interest in the sprints sky high. His lifestyle – girls, parties, blunt words – all add up to a persona not seen in sport since Muhammad Ali in his heyday. Behind the maverick lies a serious competitor though. Must be. Bolt does not discuss his training, diet, coaching too much because that would make him seem run of the mill. But his aspirations are unambiguous. “You guys were writing me off,’’ he mocked the media in the mixed zone. “I was not ready to lose. Now I want to win the 200m too because I want to become a legend.’’ There is not a single person in the world who would say he isn’t one already. *******   ******   ****** The mixed zone is perhaps more interesting for meeting losers than winners. Winners – unless it is Bolt – end up being politically correct; losers are more likely to vent or provide rare insights. American Justin Gatlin, for instance, was far removed from his usual brash self (yes he too can be a show pony) after being beaten into third place in the 100 m. He has been threatening to end the domination of the Jamaicans . “Everybody’s bored of the Bolt show’’ he had claimed recently. He had particularly run foul of Bolt when he spat in his lane to distract him in a race in Zurich last year, but on Sunday Gatlin seemed chastised.  “The great thing about 100 m today is that we are all trying our hardest to win, but fact also is that we are all playing catch up to the big man,’’ he said. Will that mend fences with Bolt? We’ll have to wait and see. Yohan Blake, Bolt’s training partner and considered his biggest threat at these Games, came across as a chirpy youngster with a sense of fun. “There’s still the 200 to win – if he doesn’t run as fast as he did today,’’ he said. Incidentally, Blake too like Bolt is a cricket nut and was a budding fast bowler till he was sucked into athletics. When asked if he followed cricket, he said, “What do you think, I am from Jamaica, it’s our game!’’ Unlike Bolt, who is reputed to have once clean-bowled Chris Gayle for a blob, Blake has no great claim to fame except that “I can bowl fast, real fast.’’ He could also rattled off the names of Indian cricketers to establish his bonafides. “Watch out for me in the IPL,’’ he said. Any takers?