Usain Bolt wants 300m race with Wayde van Niekerk

Omnisports

August 15, 2016 7:15 AM

Both men lit up Rio's Olympic Stadium on Sunday, and Usain Bolt has his sights set on a 300m race with 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.

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Usain Bolt has his sights set on a 300 metre race with 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.

Bolt clinched his third consecutive Olympic gold in the 100m in Rio on Sunday, crossing the line in 9.81 seconds ahead of American rival Justin Gatlin and Andre De Grasse of Canada.

But prior to that showdown, Van Niekerk had already stolen the headlines, breaking Michael Johnson's 17-year world record in the 400m with a time of 43.03secs - all the more impressive given the South African was racing from lane eight.

Bolt will look to complete a unique 'triple treble' of 100m, 200m and 4x100m golds at three consecutive Olympics when he competes in the final two events later in the Games, but the Jamaican has another challenge in his sights.

Bolt's coach has previously suggested that 400m would be a strong distance for him, but the seven-time Olympic champion suggested a slightly shorter race against Van Niekerk would be a closely matched affair.

"That would be a good one, that would be a good race," Bolt said.

"This year I was hoping I would be in good shape when my coach told me they were going to put on a 300m [at a grand prix meeting]. I wasn't in the best of shape but I really, really wanted to be in that race.

"Hopefully next season, if he is in good shape and my coach puts the meet on again, I get a chance to run.

"I would really like to compete against him over 300m, that would be good."

Omnisports

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