Bolt may defer 2016 retirement plan

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the men's 100m race at the Diamond League athletics meeting on September 6, 2013, in Brussels. AFP Photo

Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt revealed on Thursday that he may not retire in 2016 and is also hoping to compete at next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
 
The six-time Olympic champion had previously suggested that he would bow out after the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, but he hinted that he could elect to continue in the sport for one extra year.
 
"I think that my sponsors and everybody wants me to continue so I've really sat and thought about it and maybe I will go on for one more year, and just make everybody happy," he told AFPTV.
 
"My fans also are saying I should go on, so I think I might do another year." Bolt also expressed enthusiasm to take part in the Commonwealth Games, having never previously competed in the quadrennial event for nations from the former British Empire.
 
He was due to compete in the 2006 event in Melbourne, two years before his global breakthrough at the Beijing Olympics, but had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury.
 
"I have said to my coach that I would love to go to the Commonwealths," Bolt said.
 
"It's something that I haven't done before. It's up to him, but I have said to him that I want to be a part of it. My coach will think about it and we will see what he says. I am not 100 percent sure. We will discuss and see what he says." Bolt was speaking at a book signing for his new autobiography, 'Faster than Lightning', which drew hundreds of fans to a department store in central London.
 
The 27-year-old, who claimed gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at this year's World Championships in Moscow, said he hoped the account of his personal trials and tribulations would strike a chord with readers.
 
"For me it's all about inspiration," he said.
 
"I want to inspire people, to let people know with hard work anything is possible, so for me it was just important to share my story with them.
 
"It wasn't easy. Starting off was really hard and I had throughout my seasons -- even throughout my great seasons -- some ups and downs, injuries and stuff like that, so I have worked really hard to get back on top.
 
"That's why I want to share my story, to explain to people that sometimes life throws curveballs at you, but you have to be strong and focused and just work hard at what you really want."