Sprinter Bolt arrives for world championships

DAEGU, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- Usain Bolt, dubbed the fastest man on earth, arrived here Tuesday for the upcoming World Championships in Athletics.
Bolt is part of the Jamaican advance team for the Aug. 27-Sept. 4 championships in Daegu, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The signature event for the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) is expected to bring together nearly 2,500 athletes from at least 206 countries.
Bolt holds the world records in both the men's 100 meters, with 9.58 seconds, and in the 200 meters, with 19.19. Both marks were set at the previous world championships in 2009 in Berlin.
He also won the 2008 Olympic gold medals in those two events plus in the 4x100節? relay.
The 24-year-old Jamaican proved as fast at major airports in South Korea as on tracks, dodging dozens of reporters camped out to get a glimpse of the star.
After landing in Daegu about 8:30 p.m., Bolt refused to answer questions from the media and instead waved to fans before heading out to his hotel.
Earlier Tuesday, Bolt also declined to speak to the media at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before transferring to a flight bound for Daegu.
When asked to share his thoughts about competing in South Korea, Bolt simply said, "Later."
Daegu organizers said Bolt didn't want to speak to the press, at least on Tuesday. Grace Jackson, manager of the Jamaican delegation, said she would have to discuss with Glen Mills, Bolt's coach, to decide whether to make Bolt's training sessions available for the media.
Bolt is scheduled to begin training with his teammates on Wednesday.
Bolt this year has battled the effects of back and Achilles' tendon injuries sustained a year ago. His best time of the season in the 100節? is only 9.91, while countryman Asafa Powell owns the best record this year at 9.78. Bolt does own the fastest 200節? time this year with 19.86.
Bolt has acknowledged he may not be physically ready to break world records in Daegu, but he could have a relatively easy path to the top.
Tyson Gay, his rival from the U.S., will not be in Daegu because of a hip injury, and Powell pulled out of a race earlier this month with groin pains.
Two other sprinters, Jamaican Steve Mullings and U.S. runner Mike Rodgers, have flunked drug tests. Mullings, who had the third best 100節? time this year with 9.80, will not travel to Daegu. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is expected to hold a hearing this week to decide Rodgers' fate for the world championships. The 2009 American champion has run 9.85 to rank fourth this year.