World's Fastest Man isn't even trying — and that's too bad

I feel safe saying that I’ve watched more track and field over the past 15 years than the average sports fan. Nothing in the sport is more impressive to me that the raw speed and power of a world-class 100-meter race, and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is the most impressive sprinter I’ve ever watched.

I’m going to call him Insane Bolt from now on.

I had not seen Bolt run before watching the opening round of the 100 meters during late-night Olympic coverage on Friday. He sprinted 50 meters, and then jogged to the finish line in 9.92 seconds.

Insane.

He did the same thing in the quarterfinals (sprinting 60 meters) and again in the semifinals (going hard for a full 70 meters), so it should not have come as a surprise when he stopped running full speed after 85 meters in the finals and cruised across the finish line while beating on his chest, winning the gold and breaking his own world record in the process. When you consider the fact Bolt, also the favorite to win the 200 meters, only started running the 100 this year, his accomplishments are even more amazing.

Or should I say, insane.

The reason it doesn’t look like he’s trying is because he’s not, which has to be even more demoralizing to his opponents. He is supremely confident and not afraid to show it, and that is a huge part of track and field — gamesmanship. While his competitors come to the starting blocks with cold stares and quiet looks of determination, Bolt bounces to the music blaring through the stadium. During the race, while the competition musters every ounce of strength and energy that a lifetime of training has provided, the 21-year-old Bolt appears to effortlessly pull in front and then, almost mocking his opponents, slows down and peers from side to side in search of his nearest competition.

"I didn't come here to break the world record because I already was the world-record holder," Bolt said. "I came here to win."

Fair enough, but here is my only complaint: there is a time and place to “shut it down.” It’s fine in the prelims, where it serves several purposes — saving energy and letting your competition know that you have more where that came from. But the Olympics final is not the place to showboat. Save it for after the finish line (where he continued to bask in his own glory, and I have no problem with it).

Bolt is so young and so talented that he clearly does not appreciate the gift he has been given. Out of respect to his competitors, to all of the Olympic champions that preceded him, and to everyone else who can only dream of having his ability, Bolt has a responsibility to give his best effort on the world’s biggest stage.

The day will come, much sooner than Bolt can imagine right now, when he will no longer take his speed for granted. We know he can run faster than the 9.69 seconds he recorded Saturday night, but will we ever get to see it? The 2008 Olympics were probably just a coming out party for Bolt, but nothing in life is guaranteed. I would hate to think the world would never get to see what he is capable of when giving his best effort.