Usain Bolt Targets Unprecedented Four Golds at London Olympics

MONACO -- Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt said Saturday he is willing to go an even greater distance to land a bigger gold rush at next year's London Olympics.

Bolt claimed three Olympic golds in Beijing in 2008, taking the 100-meter and 200-meter crown while sharing in a team victory in the 4x100-meter relay.

He will be back defending that record in 2012 but now said he is also willing to carry the baton in Jamaica's 4x400-meter relay, which could bring him an unprecedented fourth track gold.

American sprint legend Carl Lewis was the last male athlete to win four gold medals at the Olympics, but his haul at the 1984 Los Angeles Games included victory in the long-jump.

Bolt, who is in Monaco for the IAAF athlete of the year awards, said of his country's 4x400-relay team, "If they need me, I would be able to run."

He added, "If I can help to get them a gold medal, I will want to go on that team."

While Bolt's official personal best in the 400-meter -- 45.28 seconds -- would not challenge for medals in the individual event, he believes he can go close to a world record time with the running start that the relay discipline brings.

Bolt, who began his Olympic training a month ago, said if he can deliver in his regular events, "the 4x4 would top it off and even make it a little bit much better. I will probably be in good shape and I know the guys are really stepping up the 400 level in Jamaica."