LORD COE DECRIES OBSESSION WITH USAIN BOLT

Usain Bolt Image: Richard Giles

The head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lord Sebastian Coe, decried the "obsession" with Usain Bolt as the track and field events commenced at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.

The recently-retired track legend is conspicuously missing from  this year's iteration of the games, and his absence has been commented on frequently by the media.

"There are plenty of athletes around," Lord Coe said when asked about Bolt. "Are we going to replace Usain Bolt? Probably not, because you don't replace Muhammad Ali. But Marvin Hagler and Manny Pacquiao and Chavez and the great boxers came through."

Yohan Blake  Image: Arian Zwegers

Notwithstanding the fact that Bolt will not be seen vying for medals on the track, he still seems to be a source of motivation to some of the athletes at the games. At least to Yohan Blake, 28, his long-time understudy. 

Blake, who has not won an individual title since he clinched the gold at the 2011 World Championships, disclosed that he was inspired by a admonition from his mentor and former training partner. "Usain told me, "Yohan, you've got to win or else you can't go back home," said Blake.

Those words are ominous enough to make anyone dig deeper, and run like they have the hounds of hell at their heels.