Aug 30, 2009 12:07 pm US/Pacific
Bolt Says He Can Go Faster In 100, 200 Meters
MADRID (AP) ―
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Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, and Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey, right, compete in the men's 100-meter round 2 heat 5 race of the 2009 IAAF Athletics World Championships on Aug. 15, 2009, in Berlin, Germany.
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
Fresh from setting a pair of world records, Usain Bolt is ready to go faster.
The Jamaican sprinter, who took part in a ceremonial kickoff celebrating the start of the Spanish league at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium this weekend, said he can improve on his record times of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters and 19.19 in the 200.
"I think I can go faster, but I leave that up to my coach," Bolt said Sunday. "We analyze each race. We try to go through the season without risking getting injured. We see what we can do to go further and achieve great things in sport."
Bolt was in the Spanish capital on Saturday to attend Real Madrid's opening match of the season. He said he has become a fan of the team since striker Ruud van Nistelrooy moved there three years ago.
"Manchester United was my favorite team when I started to watch football because he was there," said Bolt, calling the Dutchman his favorite player. "I became a Real Madrid fan because I follow Ruud van Nistelrooy wherever he goes."
Bolt said he felt nervous in front of 80,000 fans just before the season's opening match against Deportivo La Coruna, which Madrid won 3-2. He said the experience was "priceless."
While at the Bernabeu, the sprinter met Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano, whom he shook hands with and greeted in Spanish as "Mister Campeon" — Mr. Champion.
"I remember I saw Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation and thought it was amazing. It was the same for me yesterday," Bolt said. "It was overwhelming, but I enjoyed it very much. It was beautiful."
Bolt said he gave Ronaldo some advice on how to run faster when he first met him two years ago.
"Normally, when he gets up speed he leans his body forward," Bolt said of the former Manchester United winger. "I told him what to do to run longer and go faster."
However, the sprinter said he felt he could still outrun Ronaldo over 100 meters — even while running with a ball at his feet.
"Definitely, I think I can do that," Bolt said. "I don't think Cristiano can beat me. I'm the fastest man in the world, so I can do that."
Bolt, who is expected to travel to London on Monday, was set to watch a bullfight in the Madrid suburb of San Sebastian de los Reyes.
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