Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has openly expressed his enthusiasm about the new wave of athletes making their mark in the world of sprinting.
This positive stance comes as several of his longstanding records have been broken by emerging talents. Bolt, an iconic figure in athletics, sees these developments as the arrival of fresh “personalities” necessary for the sport’s growth.
Earlier this year, young Jamaican sprinter Nickecoy Bramwell set a new Under-17 400m world record at the Carifta Games in Grenada, breaking Bolt’s 22-year-old record with a time of 47.26 seconds.
Shortly after, another of Bolt’s records fell when 16-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout clocked 20.60 seconds in the 200m at the U20 World Championships in Peru, narrowly edging out Bolt’s 2002 time when he was just shy of 16 years.
“After me, it kind of went down because of who I was as a person, and how big my personality was,” Bolt remarked as per Mirror.
He continued, “But I think over time it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport, hopefully in the upcoming years it will change.”
The emergence of talents like Bramwell and Gout not only revitalizes interest in athletics but also reignites conversations about the future of sprinting.
While Bramwell is making strides in longer sprints, Gout is already being compared to Bolt for his performances in Bolt’s former standout events, the 100m and 200m.
Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming didn’t hold back her admiration, hinting that Gout could be the sport’s next big superstar, a sentiment Gout humbly acknowledged as “pretty cool.”
Meanwhile, Bramwell, undeterred by injuries, is ambitious about his future.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to break the record. Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record,” he shared, reflecting on his achievements and his determination to surpass more of Bolt’s records. His focus and dedication suggest that more record-breaking performances may be on the horizon.
At 37, Bolt, who retired in 2017, has transitioned from competitive sprinting to a life that includes family time and participation in charity events such as Soccer Aid.
Despite no longer competing, his legacy is a beacon for the new generation of sprinters. His world records in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay still stand as the pinnacles of speed, challenging young athletes to rise to his legendary standards.
