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 It has been five years since Bolt set the 100m world record of
9.58 seconds and the 200m best of 19.19 at the Berlin world
championships, and this season began late for him as he recovered
from minor foot surgery and a hamstring injury.
The lanky Jamaican missed nine weeks of training after having
surgery on his left foot in March but shrugged off any suggestion
that he might be past his best as prepares for the sprint relay at
the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.
"Personally I don't think so," Bolt, 27, told Reuters at his
training base in Kingston when asked if his fastest times were now
behind him.
"It's all about just being dedicated. Every year I've been injured
at some part of the season, so the key thing is try to stay
injury-free, try to be more focused on track and field and not be
distracted by other things.
 "Try to cut down a little on the sponsor-duty things and stuff like
that for the upcoming season, try to limit it as much as possible.
Then I can put in a lot more work and I'll have more time to work
and stay fit and to be focused."
Coach Mills, who has guided Bolt to his six Olympic golds and a
record 10 world championships medals since 2007, also believes the
sprinter is capable of running faster.
"I wouldn't say that we have seen the best of him," Mills told
Reuters after putting Bolt through a sprint workout. "I think that
he's capable of more (speed), if he has (injury) uninterrupted
preparation."
Bolt appeared to rule out the chance of a mouth-watering duel this
year with in-form American Justin Gatlin.
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"I don't think the clash will happen," Bolt said. "I'm just coming
back, so I'm just trying to get myself into shape and run a few
races, just for the fans."
U.S. world silver medalist Gatlin, who is undefeated this year, owns
the season's best 100m in 9.80 seconds and has also clocked a
world-leading 19.68 seconds for the 200m.
"I don't really worry, I guess he's doing his thing," said Bolt.
"I'm just trying to get back and focus on what I need to get done
for this season, and then just look forward to next season."
Bolt is scheduled to leave Jamaica on Friday to begin his
injury-shortened season at the Commonwealth Games with the 4x100m
relay set for Aug. 1 in Glasgow. He has then penciled in four 100m
races over the next six weeks.
(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
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