Trash Talking Doesn’t Scare Me

Usain Bolt emerged from Beijing as perhaps the biggest Olympic track star in half a century, and the first man to win both the 100- and 200-meter sprints, both in world-record times. The ease of his long stride, and the joyful Jamaican dance pose he struck in victory, made him a pop celebrity to millions. The head of the International Olympic Committee said his victory pose did not befit a champion. No matter; Bolt's agent, Ricky Simms, is working to make him another Tiger Woods, the first sprinter to earn more than $10 million a year. In Toronto to accept the Laureus World Sports Award for sportsman of the year, Bolt talked about his future with NEWSWEEK'S Tony Emerson. Excerpts:

You ran the 100 in 9.69, and hit 27.28 miles an hour. What's the human limit?
I think 9.4 can be done.

By You?
Maybe. [Smiles.]

You're not a trash talker, in a trash-talking sport. Do other guys try to intimidate you?
Yeah. One talked [after early heats in Beijing] about how "there ain't gonna be no jogging in the finals." But I wasn't jogging, I was being smart, conserving energy. So I just smiled. Trash talking doesn't work on me.

You've said you run really hard in only one out of 10 races. How's that?
If you watch my races, I'll run 85 yards and shut it off, if I'm winning. Some say it's a bad attitude. But it depends what my instructions are.

You avoid the 400 because of the training. Are you being pressed to work harder?
Yeah. The 100 and 200 are easier, keep me in that comfort zone, not so much hard work and burn. The 400 would be a major change. It's gonna be so serious. That's why I'm staying away from it.

One reason you're a hero is you're drug-free. But can you foresee the pressures? What if you get beat by a bulked-up rival?
Personally, I don't need to. I've done great things, but I know I can be beat. So one day I may get beat three, four times, but I know what it takes to stay on top. Work harder, stay focused. I'm a God-blessed child. So I'm not worried.

One rival coach compared you to Einstein or Newton, meaning a natural genius at track. Do you have a full grip on who you are in the eyes of the world?
I'm not gonna change, to be who people want me to be, and then when I retire, not know who I am. Some people may not like it.