The fastest man in history said he hoped that in future people would mention him in the same breath as Pele and Muhammad Ali.
The 27-year-old said: "If I'm in great shape and I go (to Rio) and do what I have to do, I think it would be a good time to retire on top and having dominated for so long."
Bolt had mentioned the 2016 Olympics as a possible retirement point in the past, but the sprinter now appears more certain of his plans.
Despite winning the 100m and 200m at last month's World Championships, the Jamaican admitted that he had struggled with motivation earlier this season.
"I couldn't find that goal, that drive to get going again," he said.
"I sat down and thought to myself: what do I really want? And what can I do in this sport some more?"
But Bolt told reporters in Brussels that he had overcome his doubts and was now focused on being remembered as one of the greatest sports stars of all time.
"I've made up my mind that if I want to be among the greats of Ali, Pele and all these guys I have to continue dominating until I retire," he said.
"I'm really focused on getting every season correct, trying not to get injured, and just continue dominating so at the end of my career people will put me among the greats."
Bolt also laughed off claims by disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson that he could have beaten Bolt had they been competing in the same era.
The Canadian sprinter was stripped of his gold medal at the 1998 Seoul Olympics after testing positive for steroids.
"Everybody says everything to get into the media and stir up a little bit, but he could never beat me," Bolt said.
"That's just him trying to get some attention. I don't see Ben Johnson beating me at any time."
please don't retire, I love so much
ReplyDelete