http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9454962/London-2012-Olympics-Bolt-prepared-for-100m-final-by-eating-a-McDonalds.html
London 2012 Olympics: Bolt prepared for 100m final by eating a McDonald's
Usain Bolt has revealed that he prepared for the 100m final by eating a McDonald’s for breakfast.
By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter, Olympic Stadium
Bolt, who won gold with an Olympic record of 9.63 seconds, ate a wrap from the fast food outlet on the morning of the race, but joked: “It had vegetables in it, so don’t judge me!”
The Jamaican went on to win the greatest 100m final in Olympic history, retaining his title with the second fastest time ever, after his own world record of 9.58 secs.
He crossed the line a yard ahead of his Jamaican team-mate Yohan Blake, who took silver in 9.75 seconds, with the American Justin Gatlin taking bronze in 9.79 seconds.
Seven of the eight finalists finished in under 10 seconds in a race that will enter athletics legend.
At a post-race press conference, Bolt, 25, was asked about his diet on the day of the big race.
He said: “I had some plaintains, some hash browns, fruit, then a wrap from McDonald’s. For lunch I had rice and pork and some apple juice.”
He also said he had “had a few nuggets” from McDonald’s during his stay in the Olympic village, single-handedly giving the fast-food chain its greatest ever public relations puff.
But while he has enjoyed the food on offer at London 2012, he was less than impressed with the endless rules imposed on athletes and spectators alike.
He said: “The Games have been OK but there has been a lot of rules. I have never been to a championship like it.
“I had my skipping rope in my bag and I couldn’t bring it in, and I said why? ‘It’s the rules’.
“I had a rubber band to stretch with and they said I couldn’t take that inside, and I said why? ‘It’s just the rules’.
“Then I had to stand in a line and I said ‘Really? I’ve come here to run’.”
Bolt, whose race was watched by his friend Prince Harry, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said being beaten by his team-mate Yohan Blake twice in the Jamaican trials “woke me up” and made him realise he needed to work harder.
Asked his race strategy, he shrugged in typically laid-back style and said: “I just ran pretty much.”
He said he had been so caught up in the moment, and was so wary of his rivals around him, that he forgot to push for a world record time.
“It was wonderful, I really didn’t remember I was running against the clock until too late. I looked across at the clock but it was too late by then.”
Asked if he would carry on until the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, he said: “I hope I’m there.”
He said his showy pre-race moves, which included pretending to spin a record like a DJ, were all things his friends had asked him to do.
“My friends always ask me to do stuff for them so I do it,” he said. “I had some friends who asked me to do the bunny ears so I did it.”
Gatlin described Bolt as “the Michael Phelps of our sport”, adding: “He is a showman. The people come out here and pay their money to watch a great race, so is it arrogant, is it cocky? I don’t think so.”
Blake had been unbeaten all year and was regarded as the favourite by many experts, but Bolt, always the man for the big occasion, saved his best for when it mattered, to the obvious delight of the 80,000-strong crowd at the Olympic Stadium, who rose to their feet in unison as he crossed the line.
He had said earlier in the year he needed to win in London to cement his status as a “legend”.
Asked if it was mission accomplished, he said: “That is the first step but I’m looking forward to the 200m. There was a lot of people doubted me, there was a lot of talk, so it was really great to show people that I’m still the number one, I’m still the best.”
