Bolt not thinking about 400 meters record just yet

By Darren Ennis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Jamaica's triple Olympic sprint champion and Usain Bolt said on Friday he was not yet thinking about running the 400 meters or trying to break Michael Johnson's nine year-old world record in the event.

"I am not thinking about that for now," Bolt told reporters after his victory in the 100 at the Memorial Van Damme Golden League meeting in Brussels.

Bolt became the first man to win the Olympic sprint double, shaving his own 100 meters record at the Beijing Games and breaking American Johnson's 12-year-old record in the 200.

When asked how fast he could run if he competed at 400 and if he was capable of beating Johnson's record which has stood since August 1999, Bolt replied: "I don't think about those things. I leave that to my coaches."

Jamaica's 400 meters coach Bertland Cameron has said the 22-year-old can break Johnson's record of 43.18 seconds due to his size and strength.

Bolt -- who also won a 4x100 gold in a world record time in China -- did some 400 base training ahead of the Beijing Games.

On Friday he came from behind to power past fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell to win in his last race of the season, setting a new course record of 9.77 seconds.

Powell, who finished in 9.83 seconds, led for most of the race before Bolt ran past him in the final 10 meters.

"I was still asleep at the start," Bolt said after his victory, adding that being quicker out of the blocks would be his priority next season.

"It is easier to get to the top but it is harder to stay there. I have to work harder and harder," he said.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)