Usain Bolt takes pride in defending athletics and helping make sport as clean as possible
By Anton Toloui, Sky Sports News HQ in Kingston, Jamaica
Last Updated: 17/11/16 9:02am
Usain Bolt has admitted to Sky Sports News HQ he feels the pressure of being the "defender of athletics" after recent drug cheating scandals.
Bolt was the major attraction on the track at Rio 2016, the build-up for which was dominated by claims of Russia's "state sponsored" doping system.
World athletics' governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), banned Russia from taking part in Brazil and Bolt insists he has full faith in the sport's bosses to put an end to the problem.
"It's rough but I've said to people the IAAF and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) do a good job on clamping down and getting rid of drug cheats," Bolt said.
"Sport's got to go through the rough times to get to the good times and I think this is just a rough time."
Bolt's famous rivalry with American sprinter Justin Gatlin, who was previously banned for failing a drugs test, is highlighted in a new, feature length, documentary 'I Am Bolt'.
And the nine-time Olympic champion insists the pressure of the battle, dubbed "good vs evil" by the press, has had an impact on his life.
"It's put a lot of pressure on me personally because everyone looks towards me to win and to be the defender of the sport," Bolt told Sky Sports at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
"I try to look at it as extra motivation to do more to help the sport and to help the future of the sport.
"People always come up to me and thank me, even officials in the sport say "my god, you don't know what you have done for this sport but thank you very much". It always feels good to know you've done a lot for the sport."
Bolt admits he's already been approached by IAAF president Lord Coe, who is desperate to keep the Jamaican star involved in athletics after his retirement next year.
As well a potential role within world athletics, Bolt also hopes to work with his country's next generation of athletes, as well as concentrate on various charitable projects.
'I Am Bolt' is in cinemas and available via digital download from November 28.
