Bolt
Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
JAMAICA'S WORLD Junior 200 metres record holder, Usain 'Lightning' Bolt, could be entering the run-off for US$1 million this year.
The talented teenager is expected to open up his campaign when he faces the starter at next month's Bergen Bislett Games, the opening meet of the 2004 TDK Golden League series in Norway.
This means Bolt, who was reported on the Games' web site as a 17-year-old Jamaican who has injected some life into the 200m this season, is going for the US$1 million jackpot.
Bolt will have to compete in and win all six Golden League meets. This year's meets are: Rome Golden Gala (July 2), Meeting Gaz de France Paris St-Denis (July 23), Weltklasse Zurich (August 6), Memorial Van Damme Brussels (September 3) and ISTAF Berlin (September 12).
Apart from winning all six meets, to claim the jackpot, athletes must also take part in the World Athletics Final in Monaco between September 18 and 19.
CONFIRMED
When contacted, Bolt's local manager, Norman Peart, confirmed the sprint sensation's appearance. He also said Bolt is down to run at the Ziatà Treta, an IAAF Golden Spike Super Grand Prix meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic on June 8. These will be the only two races for Bolt before June's National Championships.
Bolt last month broke the world Junior record, running 19.93 seconds to win at the Carifta Games in Bermuda.
The European web site went on to say, "he (Bolt) is now seen as the heir to the 200m throne which has been vacant for a few years after Michael Johnson. Running at 19.93 in Hamilton, Bermuda on April 11, he has become the favourite to take home the Olympic gold medal from the Athens Games."
