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REUTERS
Jamaican track star Usain Bolt acknowledged he has had a rocky build-up to the London Olympics, but declared himself ready to go .
London – Jamaican track star Usain Bolt on Thursday acknowledged he has had a rocky build-up to the London Olympics, but declared himself "ready to go" in his bid to defend his double sprint titles.
"I'm always ready," said Bolt. "It's all about championships. I've had slight problems, but I'm ready to go."
Fitness concerns, an early morning car crash and losing over both the 100 and 200m to training partner and compatriot Yohan Blake in the Jamaican Olympic trials raised serious doubts about Bolt's ability to defend his titles.
But Bolt, speaking at his first pre-Olympic press conference alongside fellow sprinter Asafa Powell, said: "I'm going to focus on going out there to win.
"My back was a little stiff and it affected my hamstring but I'm over that. I've been training for the past two-and-a-half weeks and everything is alright."
The 25-year-old added: "I don't think it will be the end of the world if I lose.
"I would definitely be disappointed if I was second. Mentally though I am always strong. I have a great team around me who keep me on track."
Bolt received an extra boost when Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell named him as the country's flag bearer for Friday's opening ceremony.
"It's an honour to carry the flag for my country. I would do anything for my country," said Bolt.
"It's great being the flag bearer as you are the centre of attention and on TV!"
Bolt, one of global sport's most marketable personalities, transformed the world of athletics when he scorched to victory in both sprint events at the Beijing Games in 2008 in then-world record times.
He then bettered his Olympic form at the 2009 Berlin worlds, setting current world records in the 100 and 200m of 9.58 and 19.19sec.
Bolt defended his world 200m title in Daegu last year but a false start in the final saw compatriot Yohan Blake claim victory in the 100m. – Sapa-AFP
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