David Letterman Questions Usain Bolt on Premature Celebrations

The world's fastest man, Jamaican gold medalist Usain Bolt, visited David Letterman last night, and Letterman asked Bolt why he didn't run hard through the finish line instead of slowing down at the end of the 100-meter dash:

"Before the finish line you're dancing and whirling around and flapping your arms in celebration," Letterman said. "Now that's not technique. That's something different from running technique, isn't it?"

Bolt tried to make a joke that he wanted to fly, but Letterman wouldn't let it go.

"But maybe if you had finished the race and then celebrated, maybe your world records would have been even lower," Letterman said.

Bolt then made a tacit acknowledgment of what many have speculated about: He might have actually wanted to slow down so as not to set a world record so low that even he can't break it.

"That's true, but then it would take me a long while to get there again," Bolt said. "So I was being smart when I slowed down."

I like Bolt and love the fact that he made track and field more interesting during the Olympics, but I'm with Letterman: He should go all out through the finish line.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-26-2008 @ 10:36PM

Stewart Spencer said...

Remember that Bolt already had the world record in the 100meters so he was not as concerned about that record. He was a bit surprised to find that no one was near to him in the latter third of the race and therefore he knew that he had won the race at 80 meters and just could not contain himself so he started to celebrate.

With respect to the 200m he did not have that record and after the 100m he became more confident that he had a chance to break that record and so he ran all out and ended up breaking the record. Usain will run all out when it counts.

10-20-2008 @ 10:19AM

j.g. said...

It is as simple as that Stewart.He had no ulterior motives he just wanted to win.If you look closely at him you will see he was looking to his right ie our left.That is where he expected the biggest challenge from his colleague Asafa.When he did not see him he just started to celebrate.It was almost as if he was asking;Where is Asafa?

10-14-2008 @ 12:00PM

DESMOND EDWARDS said...

I never see one person with so much confident as Usian Bolt. He and Michael Jordon are the two greatest sportsmen ever walk this earth. He has demonstrated so mush talent. Bolt has the capables to run any event and also to set a new world record in all. We all would like to see him demolish the 400 meters as well. There are no obstacles and will be in Bolt race whenever he take his mark in any race. And I must say whenever he has the record for the 400 meters, well the 800 will be next

Track&Field has now became excited. Even my grandmother who is 98 of age would like to run next to Asain in the 100 & 200 meters.

9-29-2008 @ 11:59AM

Dixon (Kingston, Jamaica) said...

The Americans simply cannot wrap their heads around this one...they were BEATEN. Its as simple as that. The great US of A just need to accept it. Spearmon and Crawford certainly have ----and whats this I hear? Spearmon wants to join the MVP Track Club? *wink*.
If an American had "slowed down" before the line, all these questions would nto be asked. usain is now a legend. Accept it. He is a phenomenon. He's gifted.
Thanks for making us so very proud Bolt.
and big ups to Asafa too

10-06-2008 @ 4:12PM

Vincent Tan said...

Given the comments were correct; then, why UB did not celebrate in the 200m? In the same vein, why didn't AP celebrated in his manner in the relay?

Blowing minds, sending messages, being in control, being cool, aiming high, and most of all, having fun -as he claims- may not be all. UB was proving that obesity has nothing to do with fast food. He has inadvertently told how to keep trim. He might be renewing the great meaning of keeping both mind and body fit and in balance as the ancient Greeks has put it.

Keeping himself healthy until next season means he is aware of his obvious weakness. Know-Thyself-and-Nothing-in-Excess is probably his secret weapon of an Olympian.

12-03-2008 @ 4:12PM

Regina said...

Look, if I had won a gold medal, a world record along with an olympic record..shoot I would be bragging too.

12-22-2008 @ 11:06AM

John said...

I can watch that race over and over and over and ....i think football is over rated, track and fields, especially the 100 and 200s are the BOM!!..its simply magical, Bolts you're leaving my dream

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David Letterman Questions Usain Bolt on Premature Celebrations

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