He refused speak to the media, looking tired after a long-haul flight; instead he enjoyed the chicken wings that he usually eats before running a 100-meter race

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, arrived here Tuesday for IAAF World Athletics Championships, which kicks off on Aug. 27. The world’s top athletes, including the 24-year-old Bolt, are now busy preparing for the athletics extravaganza to commence in Daegu, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul. 

Bolt, who won the men’s 100m and 200m in record times of 9.58 seconds and 19.19 in Berlin two years ago, will lead Jamaica’s strong 50-member team, along with Asafa Powell, Bolt’s strong contender in 100m, and women’s 100m reigning champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The Jamaican squad also includes women’s 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker and Brigitte Foster-Hylton, the women’s 100m hurdles winner.

Bolt is scheduled to defend both his 100m and 200m world titles at the World Championships. He will also compete in the men’s 4x100m relay.

Asked about the upcoming races, the Jamaican athlete simply said, “Later,” declining to speak to reporters who had been waiting at the airport for several hours. Instead Bolt and his teammates headed directly to their hotel in Daegu.

On Wednesday morning Bolt was scheduled to begin his training in Gyeongsan Stadium, North Gyeongsang Province, but canceled it later due to travel fatigue.

He is expected to begin training with his teammates on Thursday, preparing for the 100m final which is scheduled for the second day of the nine-day championships.

Bolt, who also won the 2008 Olympic gold in 100m, is considered the strong favorite in Daegu, after American sprinter Tyson Gay, who is regarded the man to contend Bolt, pulled out of the competition due to his hip injury.

The Jamaican had admitted that he was not yet 100 percent fit. He suffered from Achilles tendon and waist injuries last season, which forced him off the track for nearly six months. But he is now gaining his form. Notably, last month Bolt clocked a timely season’s best of 9.88 seconds in his final 100m race before this year’s World Athletics Championships, raising expectations for another stunning run in Daegu on Aug. 28.

Organizers say Bolt and his Jamaican squad will not disclose their training, but will have an open training session for the fans on Aug. 22. On the day, Bolt will also provide one-on-one lessons for school children in Gyeongsan, a city near Daegu, to help promote athletics.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)