Sprinter Usain Bolt has confirmed that he will retire after this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro despite calls to prolong his career.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist suggested in January that he could continue competing until the 2020 Games in Tokyo on the advice of his coach Glen Mills, Xinhua reported.
But the Jamaican said success in Rio would leave him with little reason to continue at the elite level.
It will definitely be my last Olympics. It is going to be hard to go four more years for me, to keep the motivation that I want, especially if I accomplish what I want to in RioUsain Bolt
Bolt won golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the London 2012 Games in a repeat of his performances in Beijing four years earlier.
He is determined to extend his dominance in his three favourite events this August, with an extra focus on the 200m.
My biggest dream at the Olympics is to win three gold medals again. that is my focus, that is what I want. And that is what I am aiming for because that is my goal and that is my dream.Usain Bolt
Despite holding the world record of 19.19 seconds for the 200m Bolt believes he has unfinished business in the event.
I have said the only big thing, big time I want to run is the 200 metres. I would love to try to go sub-19. that is the only thing I would really, really want because that is one of my goals. I have always talked about and always wanted it so for me, that is something I look forward to.Usain Bolt