|
De Grasse took silver behind the Italian in Tokyo but the
Canadian's consistency makes him the frontrunner to dominate the
sprint scene, including next year's world championships which
will be staged in the United States for the first time.
The Tokyo Olympic 200m title represents the only major gold on
De Grasse's resume but the 26-year-old has been a medal machine
at the big events collecting 10 Olympic and world championship
medals.
DeGrasse has been on Bolt's radar since finishing runner-up to
the Jamaican sprint king in the 100m at the 2016 Rio Games and
now the Canadian may finally be ready to assume the throne.
"Andre De Grasse is more consistent any time he is in shape he
is always on the podium," Bolt told Reuters. "So if that
continues on this line he would be the guy to watch, or he will
be the guy to beat.
"Everyone else has been up and down, win one meet lose the next
and it is all about consistency." Since Bolt, an eight-time
Olympic champion, left the sport no one has been able to fill
the void left by the charismatic Jamaican on the track or off
it.
Jacobs shot from relative sprinting obscurity in Tokyo to snatch
the 100m crown Bolt had worn for three Games (2008, 2012, 2016)
while Americans Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman won the last
two world titles that had been the Jamaican's property.
Bolt's departure has resulted in a revolving door at the top of
the podium and left the sport without a marquee personality that
casual fans can grab onto.
CROSSOVER STAR
More than four years after his last race in 2017, athletics is
still searching for that one crossover star. Asked if there was
anyone out there ready to assume that responsibility Bolt said
"not yet", adding that it doesn't need to be a sprinter.
"It's always good to have one person that really stands out who
pulls people to the sport," said Bolt, who launched his newest
project on Friday, Labs powered by SprintRay, an initiative
focused on expanding global access to dental care.
"But it is also good to have that surprise of whose going to be
great, whose going to step up, whose going to do well," added
Bolt. "It depends how you look at it.
"For me the opportunity is there for anyone, not just in sprints
but for anyone in any event whether it is long jump or shot put
just bring a little personality to the sport and show up and
perform at a high level so the people will be excited to watch
the sport of track and field."
Nowhere will that be more important than next year's world
championships in Eugene, Oregon with athletics eager to raise
the sport's profile in North American market where it remains a
niche sport.
"The U.S. is one of those places where track and field is not
that big," said Bolt. "So the fact we have brought it to the
U.S. now is very important for the athletes to perform and to
really get eyes on the sport. "For me I would love to be part of
it. No matter what is going on I will be there."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Christian
Radnedge)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
