Quote:
Originally Posted by trackercowe
I think Bolt will still be around in 2016. It has to be difficult for someone his age to consider retiring during the prime of his career. I realize by then he will be pushing 30, but there are still many runners competing at that age. Most of the top American runners (Gay, Gatlin, Spearman) are all still contending past the age of 30, the same can be said for his fellow countryman in Asafa Powell.
It will mostly come down to if he is still dominant at the sports, as he'll likely only want to come back if he is likely to win gold all over again. However, barring injuries or Blake finding a way to cut down his time, I do envision Bolt coming back even in four years.
I also think there is a good chance Phelps may come back in 2016 as well. Less likely of course, but it has to be painful for these guys to retire at such an early age in life when they are still the best in the world at what they do.
Even with all the money and notoriety in the world, turning down the limelight and retiring at such a young age must be very difficult.
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No matter who you are, training everyday for (hopefully) your single moment(s) in the bright spotlight 4 years away seems like an eternity right now, especially if someone's already done that done that for the last 6-10+ years.
Add to that the millions he has sitting in the bank, and and proved all he's needed to prove by smashing world records again. On that note, for another guy who is at the top for the past two Olympics, I can't see Phelps automaitcally coming back and tarnishing his image by being outside favourite in his races 4 years. They may well continue on and comeback, because they don't know anything else since they've dedicated so much of their youth to training ay after day after day, but when you have 19 medals and may not get another you have to figure out if its worth it.