Bolt: "Top athletes should better avoid each other in meetings'

In the run up to the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme Usain Bolt held a press conference. He wants to end the season on an ultimate high note in Brussels and then enjoy a well-deserved rest. "Yesterday I sat in my hotel room and thought:: what do I do with that race on Friday? My head is empty and my body tired. We landed in Europe on 3 July and we have been here ever since. Soon I can finally go home. First celebrate in Jamaica and then go on vacation in Australia. Enjoy doing nothing on the beach. I simply yearn for it. I might even go sunbathing ... " Usain Bolt did not really sound like the most enthusiast athlete ahead of the ultimate Diamond League meeting, the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme in Brussels. However, he regained his competitiveness. "This will be the last race of a very tiring season. I want to and will have to fire down that fast track. And those final 100 meters might perhaps my most successful season ever. After that I can enjoy the music during the Jamacain After party at the Heysel. Then I will most certainly ask my manager to crack a bottle of champagne." "What do you expect? This might be Bolt's 175th press conference of the year, in which he often got to answer the same questions and yet he is still smiling," organiser said Wilfried Meert . "You should not take him too literally. His coach Glen Mills assured me that his men are focused and ready to go. Yohan Blake is aiming high. He cherishes beautiful memories of the 200 meters in Brussels last year. But Bolt wants to conclude the season on a high note as well. You have to know that should he win tomorrow, he will claim the Golden League for the first time. That is something which even moves a legend like Usain Bolt." Bolt spoke more about the past season and the challenges for the future than about tomorrow's 100 meters. "After Yohan beat me twice at the Jamaican trials I never panicked. I consulted my coach and he assured me that things were going to be alright. I subsequently focused on the London Olympics and to win the intended gold medals there. " "I won't get out of the way of the clash with my training partner Yohan Blake. Why we no longer run against one another is something you need to ask our manager. Actually I agree. Top athletes and rivals should not compete each other more than two to three times each season. Like that you build up tension, for the sports fan but also for the athletes themselves. Which can only improve your performance. Competing in the same event at the end of the season simply does not make sense. You can no longer fire yourself up for an ultimate clash. " "I like it that Yohan gets more of the attention. He takes away pressure from me. Which is nice, because I like to be 'zen' and relaxed. All too often I'm the big star. In that respect, my life has definitely changed compared to last year. Recently I was in Paris for a photoshoot for Puma. An enthusiastic crowd had gathered in front of the hotel. Which celebrity would be staying here, I wondered. But when I left the hotel, it appeared they had been waiting for me. I'm used to be getting all of the attention anywhere near the athletics tracks. But this was a new experience. " "I can definitely get motivated again for next season. I want to aim for top performance for at least one more year. I want to find out where my limits are in the 200 meters event and set new world records there. Whether I'll include the 400 meters or the long jump, I do not know. I'll take that decision together with my team. After the season has finished and when the holidays are over, we meet and set new goals for the future. It is important to me that we work together as a team and set clear objectives. In that respect, Glen Mills is more of a mentor and a father figure to me than just my coach. " Watch the video

Blake: 'Brussels has the fastest corner'

On Wednesday Yohan Blake trained a few Belgian talents. But 'The Beast' also took the time to look at what's ahead at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme.

Usain Bolt’s All Time top 10

Jamaicans got style, Jamaicans got rhythm. That certainly applies to Mister Lightning Bolt himself. Not only will Usain Bolt be DJ at the Jamaican Party, he also told us his All Time Top 10 in music. Undoubtedly a taster for the party!

Tough competition for Hellebaut

Van Alphen takes part in the long jump

No decathlon is scheduled at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. But still Hans Van Alphen takes part, in the long jump only this time. Van Alphen claimed fourth in the decathlon at the London Olympics. In the long jump, the second event of the decathlon, he managed 7m64. Only Ashton Eaton, the subsequent gold medal in the decathlon, did better. Van Alphen already tweeted to be looking forward to the meeting at the King Baudouin Stadium. "I always wanted to participate in the Memorial and finally the time has come!".

Jonathan and Kevin Borlée: 'Wining the Diamond league is still possible'

At their press conference, Jonathan and Kevin Borlée seemed very relaxed. Father Jacques Borlée, also their coach, reassured everybody straightaway. "After the Games, they were both tired, physically and mentally, but on Friday they will be ready. Jonathan competed in Linz and Birmingham, Kevin in Birmingham. They trained really well last week, however without going all out. It has been a long season. Last year, Jonathan won the 400m at the King Baudouin Stadium. "Of course I'm hoping to do that again. I always look forward to run on this track, even at the Belgian championships with fewer people around. But this time, I hope that the audience we will push us towards a chrono under 45 seconds. " Kevin seconded that. "I think the home audience is an asset before the start. It gives you a boost. During the 400m event itself you don't really hear the audience, because you are fully focused on the race. I myself feel fresh. Last Sunday I wanted to take part in the Berlin meeting, but they discarded the 400m there." Both brothers still stand a chance of reeling in the Diamond league in their event, because the points in the final meeting are worth double the amount. "But then they have to beat the current leader Luguelin Santos, and Angelo Taylor as well. He recently won in Birmingham," said Wilfried Meert. In the current ranking Santos has 10p, Taylor 6p , Jonathan 5p and Kevin 2p.

Memorial with world’s fastest men sold out!

Blake: 'Brussels has changed my life'

"That super-fast 200m at the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme last year has changed my life. Of course this year I don’t mind coming back to Brussels," said Yohan Blake to Belgacom Memorial TV.

Former hurdler Patrick Van Craenenbroeck designs winner trophy

Memorial participates in "Brusselicious" with the "100m of gastronomy"