Prince Edward Islander ready to race Bolt
Last Updated: Thursday, June 11, 2009 | 9:24 AM AT
CBC News
New Haven, P.E.I.'s Jared Connaughton races against Usain Bolt at a meet in Toronto Thursday night.
Jared Connaughton hopes to get a quick start on the world record holder. (CBC) And while the spotlight has been on the Jamaican Olympic gold medallist, Connaughton told CBC News he's ready to run at the Festival of Excellence. He set a personal best last weekend running the 100 metres in a time of 10.09 seconds during a meet in Texas. Bolt ran a 9.69 at the 2008 Olympics.
Connaughton said he hopes to take advantage of his quickness out of the blocks.
"Bolt, if he has any weaknesses, which is, they're few and far between, but I think any weakness is probably his start," said Connaughton.
"On any given day I think I would be considered one of the best starters in the world. So if I really get out, I stay in my race pattern, I think, I don't know if I'm going to hold him off but I definitely think I'm going to run a fast race here in Toronto."
The P.E.I. athlete is also looking forward to the Canadian championships in a couple of weeks.
The 100 metre race will be run just after 8 p.m. ET, and is being televised on TSN.
Also in the race will be Toronto's Anson Henry.
Other Canadian Olympians competing at the Festival of Excellence include hurdlers Perdita Felicien and Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, 400-metre runner Tyler Christopher, Nate Brannen in the mile and women's 800-metre wheelchair racer Tracey Ferguson.
