Self-belief comes naturally to Ato Boldon, a four-time Olympic medalist, who says he was born to run, and who will serve as a sports analyst for NBC at the upcoming Beijing Games.
Success builds confidence, of course, and the 34-year-old Trinidad and Tobago (TT) sprinter has had a good run. Starting his sporting life as a soccer player he switched to athletics and competed in his first of four Olympics aged 18, in Barcelona.
Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago crosses the finish line to win the 100m in 10.01 seconds at the IAAF Athletics Grand Prix meeting in Stockholm, Sweden in this August 1, 2000 file photo. [Agencies] |
A world champion in the 200 m, Boldon has only been beaten by his American rival Maurice Greene in terms of sub-10 second 100 m races. His career segued into politics after retiring from the track and he became an opposition senator in 2006, gained a pilot's license and commentated for Britain's BBC, the United States' CBS and NBC.
He has produced and directed a documentary about TT's qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He also coaches the Saudi Arabian athletics team and is part owner and writer for a leading athletics website.
"I approach everything I undertake as though I were born to do it -- it removes the fear, because as humans we often believe we aren't capable or aren't good enough," he said in an exchange of e-mails from the United States, where he lives.
The self-assured US-based sociology major is quick to offer his views on a range of sport-related subjects.
For instance, though he was accused and cleared in 2001 of using the performance-enhancing drug ephedrine (found in common flu remedies, Boldon had been treating a cold), he is virulently anti-drugs.
"Sport should clean up and Marion (Jones) is the latest and best example of the fact that no matter how high you get, if you get there illegally the skeletons in your closet may still come calling some day."
He can also be diplomatic. Director Stephen Spielberg's recent resignation from the Olympic ceremonies creative team drew a tempered reaction.
"Everyone has their own personal outlook, and I respect that. Lots of countries that will remain nameless have had human rights violations, but somehow the media focuses on the ones they choose to. Sports and politics will always be intrinsically linked because they both evoke such passion in people."
As for China's organization of the Games, Boldon says he's expecting fireworks at the opening ceremony, even without Spielberg.
"(The Chinese) invented them I think they're going to do a fantastic job of hosting and surprise a lot of people. They are perfectionists and they will host the Games as such."
Regarding his new role at the Olympics as a broadcaster, Boldon said he will rely on natural ability, preparation and timing, as befits a top-rate athlete.
"The true art is knowing when to shut up. You can talk through certain things and ruin the moment forever. The best times during a track and field broadcast are when nothing is said, sometimes, like before the gun sounds to start the 100m dash final, or after a huge victory.
"Apart from that, it's about conveying your passion and finding the balance between talking to an audience that knows the sport well and to someone who has never ever seen it."
He says the highlight of the Games will likely be in the pool and on the track. He rates the US track team as the best ever and says he is looking forward to a Jamaica versus US duel in the sprint and relay events.
Pressed for a possible lowlight, he pointed to another potential drug scandal comparable to what happened with disgraced Canadian 100 m runner Ben Johnson at Seoul 1988.
Though Boldon has had his fair share of success, he has also dealt with disaster. A car crash in 2002 practically ended his career as a competitive runner and the fallout over how his case was handled by TT police led him to make some bitter comments about his country.
But Boldon does not regret missing out on Olympic gold, having racked up three bronze and one silver in the 100 m at Sydney 2000. It turns out his favorite sporting memory isn't an individual medal. Instead, it's winning silver in the 100m relay at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.
"It was a very young team that I led and we almost became the best in the world. No one foresaw it except us four and no one could have predicted it."
Asked whether it would be a bittersweet experience commenting on the action rather than being part of it in Beijing, Boldon said he is ready for a new challenge.
"I had my time and I retired when I wanted, at 30. I was on the podium four times, at four Olympics, and even though I never got Olympic gold my life was forever changed by being on that stage and by being able to represent my country."
