Jamaican Bolt picks up where he left off

ATHLETICS DIAMOND LEAGUE:USAIN BOLT powered past a weak field in driving rain to win the 200 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo last night, clocking the year's fastest time of 19.86 seconds.

The Jamaican world record holder, competing over the distance for the first time in 13 months, danced around in the rain as the announcer read out his name before blazing out of the blocks at the gun and from then on there was only one winner.

Norwegian sprinter Jaysuma Saidy Ndure was second, in 20.43 on the Bislett Stadium track where he previously trained as a club athlete. Mario Forsythe of Jamaica came in third in 20.49.

Apart from world record holder Bolt, the Gambian-born Ndure was the only other runner in the field to have previously broken the 20-second barrier over 200 metres.

South African Caster Semenya did not find the cool, damp conditions to her liking and seemed to lack power coming off the final bend. She finished third in the 800 metres – which was paced by Ireland’s Karen Shinkins – despite posting her best time of the season, 1:58:61.

“Now I have to go home and just rectify my mistakes,” said Semenya, who shot to fame by winning the 800 metres world title in Berlin in August 2009 before having an enforced break of almost a year after undergoing gender verification tests.

Finland’s Tero Pitkaemaeki also suffered, coming fifth in the javelin event with a throw of 80.22. Germany’s Matthias De Zordo struck gold with a throw of 83.94, well ahead of South African Robert Oosthuizen in second on 82.07.

The loudest cheers of the evening were reserved for local favourite Christina Vukicevic, who won the women’s 100 metres hurdles in a season-best time of 12.79. She beat the American pairing of Kristi Castlin (12.95) and Nichole Denby (13.06).

Bolt has also revealed he wants to swap his spikes for football boots and become a Manchester United player.

The world’s fastest human grew up supporting the Old Trafford side and reckons he has what it takes to make it into Alex Ferguson’s squad.

“I really want to try soccer after I retire because I’ve watched football over the years and I think I could be a good contender,” said the 24-year-old.

“I’m really looking forward to it and yes, I definitely think I’m good enough to play for Manchester United.

“I’m quick, I have a little skill – I have to refine it a little bit, but I should be good enough.”

“I am a football fan for a lot of years. I watch these guys playing, I think I can do a pretty good job. I think I could step up to the Rooneys, I think I could do well.

The three-times Olympic gold medallist is not the first athlete to think about giving the beautiful game a go.