US sprint legend Smith tips Bolt to break nine-second barrier in 100m

Former 200m record-holder Tommie Smith has tipped Usain Bolt to break the nine-second barrier in the 100 metres.

London: Former 200m record-holder Tommie Smith has tipped the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, to break the nine-second barrier in the 100 metres if he gets off to a start as fast as Yohan Blake.

Bolt, who was beaten by training partner Blake in both the 100 and 200 metres sprints at the Jamaican trials recently, holds the 100m world record of 9.58seconds and the 200m record of 19.19 seconds. Smith (68) said: “If he gets a Blake start, we are looking at 8.9, 8.88, in the 100 metres. If he gets a Blake start in the 200, then he might really go sub-19 seconds.” Smith was the first athlete to break the 20-second 200m barrier clocking 19.83 at the 1968 Games in Mexico. ANI