by ‘Ifreke Inyang

Usain Bolt, who is a four-time Olympic champion already, has stated that he is not from away from attaining legendary status. The 25-year-old shattered his own Olympic record he set four years ago in Beijing, winning the 100m final in 9.63 seconds.

“This gold means I am one step closer to being a legend so I’m working toward that,” Bolt said. “That’s just one step. I have the 200m to go, so I’m looking forward to that.”

The Jamaican is a strong favourite to clinch gold in the 200m, an event he won at the 2008 Olympics.

“Well, it’s been on my mind a couple of years now and this season, on this track, feeling more confident in myself – we’ll see,” he told BBC Radio 5 live, when he was asked if he could break his 19.19 seconds record. “I don’t want to say I can do it and then not do it. But it’s on my mind.”

The final of the 200m will take place on Thursday, and Bolt is keen to win ahead of his compatriot, Yohan Blake, who beat him twice this year at the Jamaican trials.

“There were a lot of people saying I wasn’t going to win,” Bolt said. “There was a lot of talk. It was great feeling to come out here and show the world I’m still number one and still the best.”

“It wasn’t a perfect start, so I had to execute from 50m and I knew I was going to do well after that,” he said. “I just ran. I’m not going to say it was a perfect race because I know my coach is going to say so.”

Bolt also affirmed that he will still be running, by the time the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro takes place. His inspiration comes from Michael Phelps, who has secured his 22nd Olympic medal at the London 2012 event.

“Phelps is a legend,” he said. “He’s really done great for himself and his country, and we’ve set the stage for a lot more athletes to really aim high and make our sports even better.”

“I hope I’m in Rio,” he said. “I’m going to be 30, but I hope I’m (still) in great shape. Blake will be 26, so it should be interesting.”