Why it will be difficult to match what Usain Bolt has achieved in sprinting

• Multiple world record holder wants to be a legend by the London Olympics

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt shocked everyone when he declared that he was not at 100 per cent when shattering the 100 and 200 metres world records at the World Championships in Berlin last August.

What? With amazing runs of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds in the sprints and still not at his best?

Well, Bolt, slow off the blocks but unbeatable when he gets to “cruising altitude” has a lot more in store and it will be quite difficult to beat the man from Trelawney Parish in Jamaica’s records.

English broadsheet, the Daily Telegraph, this week carried an interesting research into Bolt’s prowess after the 23-year-old sprinter, according to sprint colleague Don Quarrie “revolutionised the sport by understanding and harnessing the power of relaxation.”

Bolt will cause a stir wherever he goes, and his arrival in Nairobi on Friday is no exception.

“Everyone analyses it to death but Usain just goes out and runs,” says Bolt’s competitions manager Ricky Simms of Pace Management of the sprinter’s amazing talent.

“Call rooms (where athletes gather before a race) used to be war zones populated by macho, posturing sprinters. Now they have Usain laughing and mucking around chasing spiders,” Simms is quoted as saying.

According to the Daily Telegraph, several factors place Bolt head and shoulders above the rest of the sprinters, most significantly his genes, feet, shoulders, height, stride and knees.

Excerpts of the Daily Telegraph’s findings:

Genes:

Bolt’s dad, Wellesley Bolt, reveals that both he and Usain’s mum Jennifer were fine 200m and 400m runners as children and so the gift is in the genes.

Bolt may have the ACTN3 gene, also known as the ‘speed gene’ which allows the body to produce a specific muscle protein that aids sprinting.

Feet:

Biomechanics experts suggest Bolt helps maintain energy efficiently near the end of a race because of his dorsiflexion, the way his feet flex towards his shins while running, thus ensuring his heels do not stay too close to the ground.

Shoulders: