Headlines:
| Powell can’t handle the pressure & will never beat Bolt – Johnson |
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| Tuesday, 16 December 2008 | |
 American legend Michael
Johnson says Jamaican Asafa Powell well never be able to beat Usain Bolt unless
he overcomes his nerves.Johnson believes he can help the Powell, the former 100 ms world record holder. The former world record holder in the 200 and the 400 metres, says while Bolt has developed the ability to withstand the pressure, Powell continues to operate in denial. "They take different approaches and Bolt has found it very early but his countryman Powell has not found out how to motivate himself and focus," said Johnson. According to him, he could help Powell deal with managing these pressures, a lot of which he the Jamaican has placed on himself.  "I can't deny
that pressure is there and that's a mistake that a lot of athletes make ... but
it's how you manage that once those thoughts come ... that's how you succeed," he
said.Johnson is contending that Bolt has devised a way to manage these pre race pressures hence his success. "Before a race, Bolt says I'll start thinking about silly things ... these help prevent him from thinking about what may go wrong in the race." The former world record holder claims that the biggest mistake an athlete can make is deluding him/herself into thinking that there is no pressure. |