Johnson does not believe Bolt can repeat success and add 4x400m

Nov 15, 2011, 10:19 GMT

Berlin - Former Olympic champion Michael Johnson says Jamaican sprinting sensation Usain Bolt will not be able to defend his Olympic titles if he adds the 4x400m relay to his events in London.

Johnson, who won two gold medals in the 400m, as well as in the 200m and 4x400m, told the BBC that he though Bolt could break the 400m world record, but should not go for too much in one Games.

Bolt had earlier said that he was considering entering the 4x400m in London in an attempt to win four track and field gold medals at one Games - something only Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis have achieved.

'I think he could be the world-record holder at 400 metres but he's said that he has no interest in training for it, which I can understand - it's a difficult race to train for,' Johnson said.

'You can't train for the 400 (as well as the sprint events), it would be an absolute distraction and the training wouldn't work.

'I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to repeat as an Olympic gold medallist in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m, but the 4x400m is going to be tough.'

Johnson said he thought that the Jamaican 4x400m team could only beat the US if they had Bolt on the team. 'But he can't just step onto the track and run a 44 or a 43-second split just off 100 and 200m training.'

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