Usain Bolt Returns to World Stage Inspires Fans and Young Sprinters

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Photo:Reuters

On a lively night track in Jamaica, the world gathered to watch the new champions, but all eyes were drawn to a familiar face high above in a stadium sky box — Usain Bolt. Even years after his retirement, Bolt’s presence in track and field still feels enormous.

The new 100-meter world champion, Oblique Seville, may be setting records now, but Bolt remains the sprinter whose fame stretches far beyond sports. More than eight years since he retired, no one has matched his times or his impact.

In a recent interview before Sunday night’s races at the world championships, Bolt spoke about how proud he feels of his legacy. “When I was competing, I worked to set new records. Now that I’ve retired, it feels amazing to know I am the benchmark for others,” he said.

Bolt’s record speaks for itself: eight Olympic gold medals, eleven World Championship golds, and three world records — 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters, 19.19 in the 200 meters, and 36.84 in the 4x100 relay. Remarkably, no runner has come closer than 0.12 seconds to his individual records since he retired.

When asked why no one has beaten his times even with modern advances in shoes and tracks, Bolt smiled. “We are just more talented,” he said. “You can’t run faster just with new shoes.” His words reflect the confidence and natural skill that made him stand out.

Bolt’s speed was only part of his story. He also transformed athletics with his personality. From his famous bow-and-arrow celebration to victory laps with reggae music blasting, Bolt made races fun for fans. His huge smile and pure joy on the track inspired millions to watch and cheer, showing the world that track and field could be entertaining.

“It’s all about personality,” Bolt said. “I didn’t try too hard. I just enjoyed myself. People could feel that energy, and that’s why they connected with me.”

Sunday night marked Bolt’s first visit to a major championship event since retiring in 2017. Now a father of three — a 5-year-old daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt, and 4-year-old twin sons, Saint Leo and Thunder Bolt — Bolt enjoys seeing his children grow up. But he hopes that one day they will understand the magnitude of his achievements.

Bolt looks forward to the next World Championships in two years in Beijing, the city where his career truly took off. “I am excited to take my kids there and show them where it all began. They’ll get to see videos and learn about the moments I lived — the gold medals, the world records, everything,” he said.

Even as new talents like Noah Lyles rise in the sprinting world, Bolt’s impact remains unmatched. He set the bar not only with his record-breaking speeds but also by showing athletes how to connect with fans and turn sports into a global celebration. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of sprinters and fans worldwide.

Bolt’s return reminds everyone that some legends never really leave the sport — they continue to inspire, teach, and elevate the game simply by being themselves.

Usain Bolt, 100m sprint, 200m sprint, world records