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Bolt feels sad about doping talk ahead of athletics worlds

Xinhua, August 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt expressed his sadness on Thursday that doping talks rather than competition itself have been dominating the build-up to the world championships that start in Beijing on Saturday.

"It's really taken centre stage," Bolt said of the doping issues. "All I've been hearing over the past couple of weeks is doping, doping, doping."

"The majority of questions are about doping, it's definitely sad," said the Jamaican, who will celebrate his 29th birthday on Friday.

He added that he could not save the sport alone.

"Initially I'm running for myself, that's what I do," he said. "People say I need to win for the sport, but there are a lot of other athletes who are running clean."

"It's not only on me because I can't do it myself.

"It's the responsibility of all the athletes to take it upon themselves to help save the sport and show the sport can go far, without drugs cheats or athletes who've taken drugs."

Bolt, the six-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in both 100m and 200m, said: "I just try to do what's right by the rules of the IAAF, WADA and everybody. We all know the rules and we just have to abide them."

"It's not only up to me because I can't do it by myself because I'm not the only one in the sport.

"It's up to all the athletes to understand the rules and abide by them and just work hard to be the best, and it will make sports a better place."

The towering Jamaican gets his campaign underway in heats for the 100m on Saturday, the opening day of the elite event that runs until August 30.

For Bolt, it will be a return to Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium, where he first made his name with a stunning golden treble in the 2008 Beijing Games.

"Beijing was where it all started for me at the Olympic Games in 2008. I have great memories of the city and the stadium. It's great to be back here, I'm looking forward to getting on the track," Bolt said.

"My racing season was not ideal this year but I have great confidence in my coach and his ability to get me into shape at the right time." Endi