New York: Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt on Friday said he "cannot complain" about how his time during retirement has unfolded and said he enjoys hitting the stopwatch for young athletes, such as Great Britain's Zharnel Hughes.
"I have been retired for three years now. It's like, time is just sailing along. But retirement is... I can't complain. I really enjoy it, especially when I go back up to the track and I see all of these athletes running. I'm like, 'yeah', I just grab a water and go 'let's go, run’."
When asked if he will fancy coaching?
Bolt said, "The funniest part... the funniest part for me right now is when I go up to the track and Zharnel Hughes, he trains with coach (Glen) Mills and he runs for Great Britain. My funniest part is just hitting him with, time's up, let's go, let's go'. What no athlete wants to hear, 'yes time's up, let's go, wrap it up, get to the line'. For me, it is a joy to say that. 'Yes Zharnel, time is up' and he goes 'no, I have got a minute left'. I go, 'no, that is not what my watch is saying'. It is the best time."
Usain Bolt also urged athletes to stay fit during the lockdown that has been put in place in many countries due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has also pushed the Tokyo Olympics back by one year.
"For me, just stay fit. That is the key thing. Stay safe, stay fit. Do not overdo it. Because the season is going to be a long one. So do not overdo (things). Take your time, keep fit. But I think, when the season starts back, athletes will be fine because it is an Olympic year (into 2021). I think every athlete is more focused when it comes to the Olympics, than anything else. So I think they will be fine, focus-wise. But it is just to keep fit. Do not get lazy. Just stay on top of things."
