American sprinter Christian Coleman believes that Usain Boltâs 100-metre record of 9.58 seconds that has stood for 15 years is within reach and said there are several athletes fast enough to break it.
âIt seems like the times being run, 9.58 is obviously an extraordinary time but honestly I feel like itâs a lot of guys who are competing today who are not that far off, if the track gods see fit for it to happen,â Coleman told reporters on Friday ahead of Saturdayâs Shanghai Diamond League meet.
âBut it has to be perfect conditions, on the right day, the right competition and the right venue… if youâre focusing on running properly, like executing a good race, I feel like those type of magical moments happen.
âI feel like itâs in my wheelhouse, but I donât try to put too much emphasis or thought on it. I try to just focus on the next practice, the next rep, the next meet and just trying to improve and get better and better and the times will come.â
Jamaicaâs Bolt set his 100m record in Berlin in 2009. American Tyson Gay is the second quickest after Bolt with a time of 9.69 set in Shanghai the same year.
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Christian Miller, a 17-year-old from the U.S., ran 9.93 – the fastest time in the world this year – at a high school meet in Florida last weekend.
Coleman, a five-time world champion who has a 100m personal best of 9.76 set in 2019, takes on U.S. rival Fred Kerley, silver medallist in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics, for the first time this outdoor season at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on Saturday.
âIâm the fittest Iâve ever been,â said Kerley, who clocked his quickest 100m of 9.76 in 2022. âIâm learning how to run the 100 still, me and my coaches are working on the phases of the races instead of just running the race like I always have.â
The 28-year-old Coleman raced to gold in the 60m at the world indoor championships earlier this season in Glasgow.
Source Agencies
