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Usain Bolt will only compete in the relay for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games. Photo: AFP

My best is yet to come, says superstar Usain Bolt

Sprinter says he can run faster next year and at Rio Olympics if he stays injury free

Six-times Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and his coach Glen Mills believe the Jamaican sprinter can run even faster as he targets the 2015 world championships and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

It has been five years since Bolt set the 100m world record of 9.58 seconds and the 200m best of 19.19 at the Berlin world championships, and this season began late for him as he recovered from minor foot surgery and a hamstring injury.

The lanky Jamaican missed nine weeks of training after having surgery on his left foot in March but shrugged off any suggestion that he might be past his best as prepares for the sprint relay at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"Personally I don't think so," Bolt, 27, said at his training base in Kingston when asked if his fastest times were now behind him.

The key thing is try to stay injury-free, try to be more focused on track and field and not be distracted by other things
Usain Bolt

"It's all about just being dedicated. Every year I've been injured at some part of the season, so the key thing is try to stay injury-free, try to be more focused on track and field and not be distracted by other things.

"Try to cut down a little on the sponsor-duty things and stuff like that for the upcoming season, try to limit it as much as possible. Then I can put in a lot more work and I'll have more time to work and stay fit and to be focused."

Usain Bolt has recovered from foot surgery. Photo: Reuters

Coach Mills, who has guided Bolt to his six Olympic golds and a record 10 world championship medals since 2007, also believes the sprinter is capable of running faster.

"I wouldn't say that we have seen the best of him," Mills said after putting Bolt through a sprint workout.

"I think that he's capable of more [speed], if he has an [injury] uninterrupted preparation."

Bolt appeared to rule out the chance of a mouth-watering duel this year with in-form American Justin Gatlin.

"I don't think the clash will happen," Bolt said. "I'm just coming back, so I'm just trying to get myself into shape and run a few races, just for the fans."

US world silver medalist Gatlin, who is undefeated this year, owns the season's best 100m in 9.80 seconds and has also clocked a world-leading 19.68 seconds for the 200m.

"I don't really worry, I guess he's doing his thing," said Bolt. "I'm just trying to get back and focus on what I need to get done for this season."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: My best days are still ahead of me: Bolt
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