KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Organisers are hoping for a new record when sprint icon Usain Bolt runs at the Daegu Pre-Champion-ships Meeting in South Korea for the first time in three years next month.
The 23-year-old, who holds the fastest ever times in the 100 and 200 metres, was on Monday confirmed for the May 19 event to be staged about 300 kilometres southeast of South Korea’s capital Seoul.
“It is significant that Bolt will open his season with the 100 meters in Daegu,” said Moon Dong-hoo, vice-president of the organizing committee for the Daegu World Championships in 2011.
“Bolt is a really popular figure in Korea and everyone hopes that he will set a new record.”
Bolt had been confirmed to run at the meet last year following the World Championships in Berlin but pulled out after ending his season earlier than expected.
He had also been invited to run in 2008 after the historic Beijing Olympics but turned down the offer because of injury.
When Bolt lines up in the 100 metres, he will be chasing down the meet record of 9.94 seconds set last year by American Tyson Gay, the former double World champion.
Jamaican Bolt currently holds the world records in the 100 and 200 meters at 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively following breathtaking performances at last year’s World Championships.
American Carmelita Jeter, the second fastest woman in history, will join Bolt on the list that is expected to contain several other marquee athletes.
