Usain Bolt backs IAAF Russia ban; declares himself ready for Gatlin
— -- LONDON -- Usain Bolt has backed the IAAF's suspension of Russia's track and field athletes and declared himself fit to compete before the Rio Olympics.
After the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced it had upheld the ban on Thursday, the sprinter made his position clear in a media conference that covered everything from Brand Bolt to the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Manchester United's new manager.
"Rules are rules," Bolt said. "If you have the proof, and you get someone I feel you should take action.
"If you feel that banning the whole team is the right action then I'm all for it. The doping violations in track and field are really getting bad so if you feel like you need to make a statement then thumbs up."
Bolt faced the media as a competitor in the Anniversary Games, a Diamond League event being held at the Olympic Stadium in London on Friday and Saturday.
He will run in the 200 metres and may well feel a pang of nostalgia after his triple gold medal haul at the venue during the 2012 Games.
Having arrived late after being drugs tested by the IAAF, Bolt was unequivocal about his fitness.
"I'm feeling good, been training good, I'm happy with where I am," the 29-year-old said. "My hamstring is good, I have no issue right now. I know I'm in good shape."
Bolt's hamstring problem had forced him to withdraw from the 100m at the Jamaican Olympic trials earlier this month.
He said: "When I got to the doctor he said if I had competed [in the trials] I would probably would have torn my hamstring really badly.
"I made the right decision. My coach always makes sure I put my health first. But I was never really worried because my coach always figures out a way to adjust the programme.
"I was in pretty good shape before I had to pull out, so I wasn't really worried."
It is seven years since Bolt set the 200m world record of 19.19 seconds and he is focused on lowering his time.
"I'm happy that I didn't get a really bad setback this season, it was up and down, but I could always train," he said.
"The competition, energy, work they have to put in to win the 100m in Rio will help my 200m and that's really my focus, trying to break the 200m world record."
"I'm definitely a tough competitor," Bolt added as he looked forward to re-engaging in his rivalry with Justin Gatlin.
The two last raced against each other in Beijing in the 2015 World Championships when Bolt beat Gatlin in the 100m and 200m.
"Last year Gatlin was just not ready, it was the first time he was being chased. It was hard for him, but this year is not going to be the same, I am in much better shape, so I won't leave it to the last second."
Bolt's race in Friday's 200m will be his last outing before his final Olympics. He will be chasing a remarkable 'triple triple' of Games titles.
"I'll definitely be there, I'm excited to go," Bolt said of his Rio aspirations. "This is where history is going to be made, I'm excited to put on a show for the entire world to see. This is my final Olympics, it's a big one."
Press Association Sport contributed to this report.
