(ATR) The fastest man in the world arrived in Glasgow to an adoring media horde at the Commonwealth Games' Main Press Centre.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt is poised to make his debut in the Commonwealth Games in the 4 x 100 metre relay on Aug. 2.
He was unable to compete at Melbourne 2006 because of injury and the Delhi 2010 Games were "at a bad time" of the year in October 2010, he said. The meet at Hampden Park will also be the start of Bolt's 2014 season, after a foot injury prevented him from competing in Diamond League events
"This is my first run for the season, so I need to get it going," said Bolt, the defending two-time Olympic gold medallist in 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay.
He was asked about the Commonwealth Games being notable for which world-class athletes skip or which nations are not eligible to compete. Bolt said that did not make them a lesser event.
"As long as there are athletes and there's eight lanes, there is competition," he said. "For me this is something to add to my accolades over the years."
The news conference took on a light tone when reporters asked if they could present Bolt with a Scottish kilt (he declined, saying it wasn't his colour) and if he would pose for a selfie with them (he agreed to do so afterward). Bolt declined to answer questions on the conflict in Gaza or the upcoming Scottish independence referendum.
He said he still dreams of playing football for Manchester United and, while at the Games, he wants to see the Jamaican netball team compete more than any other event.
What does he expect to see in Glasgow, away from Hampden Park and the athletes' village? "A lot of rain maybe and seeing a lot of kilts," he said.
Rugby Sevens Impresses as IRB Eyes Rio 2016
Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper called the record-setting Glasgow 2014 rugby sevens tournament an "extraordinary success".
The two-day event at Ibrox Stadium, home of Scottish football’s Rangers F.C., drew more than 170,000 over four sessions, climaxing with the gold medal upset by South Africa over New Zealand, winner of the four previous Commonwealth Games gold medals in the sport.
IRB CEO Brett Gosper was beaming about the tournament’s popularity. "171,000 spectators in Glasgow over two days... a new world and Commonwealth Games record attendance for Rugby Sevens. #ThankYouGlasgow. Such a pity you can’t tweet atmosphere," he tweeted.
The event was bigger than the annual London Sevens at Twickenham, the annual stop on the IRB Sevens World Series which draws more than 100,000 spectators.
Gosper said the next Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018 will feature a six-day men’s tournament, plus a women’s division. The longertournament will afford players longer recovery times between matches.
The All-Blacks lost for the first time at the Commonwealth Games, after winning all 30 of their previous matches. New Zealand was the only gold medalist in the previous four tournaments since the sport debuted at Kuala Lumpur 1998.
South Africa’s Seabelo Senatla had tries on either side of the halftime break. South Africa forced a key turnover and took a 10-point lead in the second half, but New Zealand’s Declan O’Donnell drew the All Blacks within five in the final two minutes. The South Africans, however, managed to successfully defend their 17-12 lead to become the second Commonwealth rugby sevens champion in the sport’s history.
"The Commonwealth Games is a one-off tournament. As a squad we want to take this forward to the Rio Olympics. I know we have made the people back home proud," said player Cecil Afrika.
South Africa’s win capped what Hooper called "Super Sunday," the end of an historic weekend for sport in Glasgow.
"The biggest spectator weekend in the city’s history," he said.
The marathon was run through the streets of Glasgow earlier in the day and the athletics meet began at Hampden Park. Hooper said there were also 70,000 people at the live sites.
"The people of Scotland are supporting these Games," he said.
News briefs
**The Games’ first weekend in Glasgow put stress on the city’s transportation system. An estimated 700,000 people came into the city on July 27. Over the two days, it was estimated 1.3 million people traveled the area.
"The entire population of Glasgow came through Glasgow Central Station over the weekend," said Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle.
There were queues at train and subway stations, causing organizers to mobilize shuttle buses to park and ride lots.
** Meanwhile, an athlete from Papua New Guinea charged with sexual assault is due to appear in court. Hooper said it does not affect his status as a participating athlete. "Clearly there is a presumption of innocence that we all enjoy," Hooper said.
Weightlifter Toua Udia, 22, a competitor in the 77 kg division, was arrested after an incident that allegedly occurred at a supermarket store near the Commonwealth Games Village. He was held overnight in jail and is to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday. Udia said what happened was an accident and that he is innocent.
Reported by Bob Mackin in Glasgow.
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