De Grasse eager to gatecrash Bolt’s party

AFP, LONDON: Jamaican legend Usain Bolt is determined to bid a golden farewell to his lustrous track career at the World Athletics Championships in London but Canada's Andre de Grasse is eager to gatecrash the party.

The 22-year-old -- who signed the most lucrative contract offered to a track and field athlete in 2015 for a reported £7.5million (8.3m euros, $9.8m) with an extra £20m in potential bonuses -- is looking to improve on his Olympic bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m last year.

De Grasse, whose mother took on two jobs to help him pursue his sporting dreams, admits the contract offer put pressure on him, especially as it was with Bolt's kit provider Puma.

“To replace the greatest in Usain Bolt, I knew what I was getting into,” De Grasse told Monday's edition of the Daily Mail.

“I did have a bit of hesitation. Everyone can be nervous.

“I was thinking: “Can I handle this and take on the pressure?’

“I knew it would provide for myself and my family.

“I can't have fears or hold back, I want to relish it," added De Grasse.

With Bolt opting not to run the 200m in London, De Grasse's chance to deny the charismatic Jamaican a 12th world gold medal comes in the 100m, provided he reaches Saturday's final.

De Grasse, who only took up athletics aged 17 after trying his hand at basketball, says he needs to beat Bolt before he can be described a rival.

“It's not a rivalry,” he told the Daily Mail.

“He has dominated for so long. I've still not beaten him -- but I'd love to. To have a rivalry you have to have a back and forth.

“He is on his way out and a veteran. I'm trying to prove myself.”

De Grasse, who has shown some sparkling form this season running a wind-assisted 9.69sec in the 100m at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, has come a long way since a troubled adolescence and being laughed at when in his first effort at the shorter sprint he adopted a standing start.

“It was the sideways run-up like in basketball,” said De Grasse.

“People in the crowd were laughing. I just looked down and ran.

De Grasse eager to gatecrash Bolts party

AFP, LONDON: Jamaican legend Usain Bolt is determined to bid a golden farewell to his lustrous track career at the World Athletics Championships in London but Canadas Andre de Grasse is eager to gatecrash the party. The 22-year-old -- who signed the most lucrative contract offered to a track and field athlete in 2015 for a reported 7.5million (8.3m euros, $9.8m) with an extra 20m in potential bonuses -- is looking to improve on his Olympic bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m last year. De Grasse, whose mother took on two jobs to help him pursue his sporting dreams, admits the contract offer put pressure on him, especially as it was with Bolts kit provider Puma. To replace the greatest in Usain Bolt, I knew what I was getting into, De Grasse told Mondays edition of the Daily Mail. I did have a bit of hesitation. Everyone can be nervous. I was thinking: Can I handle this and take on the pressure? I knew it would provide for myself and my family. I cant have fears or hold back, I want to relish it, added De Grasse. With Bolt opting not to run the 200m in London, De Grasses chance to deny the charismatic Jamaican a 12th world gold medal comes in the 100m, provided he reaches Saturdays final. De Grasse, who only took up athletics aged 17 after trying his hand at basketball, says he needs to beat Bolt before he can be described a rival. Its not a rivalry, he told the Daily Mail. He has dominated for so long. Ive still not beaten him -- but Id love to. To have a rivalry you have to have a back and forth. He is on his way out and a veteran. Im trying to prove myself. De Grasse, who has shown some sparkling form this season running a wind-assisted 9.69sec in the 100m at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, has come a long way since a troubled adolescence and being laughed at when in his first effort at the shorter sprint he adopted a standing start. It was the sideways run-up like in basketball, said De Grasse. People in the crowd were laughing. I just looked down and ran.