There Is No ‘Bolt’ Coming

“ Almost single handedly,  Bolt has helped ‘ track ‘ transform itself from a dying sport to one with a singular, smiling, worldwide star. “ – These were the words published by The Associated Press, on the 10th of August 2012, during the London Olympics.

The Difficult Phase

Prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Athletics and in particular the Sprints were reeling under a Doping Scandal. Tim Montgomery and Justin Gatlin were stripped of their 100m world records and Marion Jones had to return 3 Olympic Gold Medals. The sport had suffered and it wished for a new lease of life, a saviour. As if a lightning had struck from the heavens, arrived the brilliant Jamaican, Usain Bolt.

The  Transformation of Bolt

Post the 2004 Athens Olympics, Bolt, standing at 6’ 5”, non-serious,  indisciplined young prankster and  fast food lover,  had submerged himself into his career under the watchful eye of coach Glen Mills. A hardworking, disciplined athlete emerged who was going to transform the face of track & field. By the time the Beijing Olympic Games arrived in 2008, Usain Bolt was sprinting at speeds unseen and was tipped to win the 100m and 200m at the Games.

The Beijing Olympics 2008

Usain Bolt set the tracks on fire in Beijing. He won the 100m with a new World Record of 9.63 seconds. There was a time that sub 9.7 seconds was considered unthinkable and here was this Bolt from Jamaica who had touched 9.63. The 200m was no different. Michael Johnson the world record holder in the 200m was expecting Bolt to win the 200m but was quite sure that his record of 19.32 seconds would stand. But Bolt ran another memorable race and won in 19.30 seconds setting another World Record. Bolt also won the 4x 100 m relay and finished with 3 gold medals at the Beijing Games. However the big Jamaican was just warming up, the best was yet to come.

The World Athletic Championship, Berlin, 2009

The World Athletic Championships in 2009 held in Berlin was historic due to the exploits of Usain Bolt. He was in terrific form that year and he proved that on the track. As the 100m race unfolded the world just held its breath as Usain Bolt flew over the tracks beating the field with lots to spare. He slowed down in the end thumping his chest and clocking an insane time of just 9.58 seconds. He had broken his own record and set an unthinkable time in the 100m. The commentators of the race kept jumping up and down showering unprecedented praise on Bolt. The 200m was no different as the fastest man on earth blew the competition away and recorded another World Record time of just 19.19 seconds. The followers of the sport were virtually gasping for breath seeing some incredible times. The impossible was being made possible in front of their eyes. Usain Bolt had managed to hold the attention of the world by his inconceivable blitzkreig.

Bolt Continues to Strike

Usain Bolt repeated his performance at the London Olympics in 2012 and the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, winning the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay at both the events. In total he won a record 9 Gold Medals at the Olympics ( later in 2017 he was stripped of his Beijing 4x100m relay gold as one of his team mates was held guilty of doping ).

Bolt a Phenomenon 

It has been 15 years since Usain Bolt set the World record in the 100m and 200m events , and though several fine athletes have arrived post Bolt’s exit,  none have come even close to Bolt’s record. There is no doubt that Usain Bolt will go down in Sporting History as the  finest sprinter of all times. The phenomenal burst of energy as he left the blocks, powering his massive strides,  his cool  demeanour with a touch of harmless arrogance have made Usain Bolt a great icon of Track & Field and for Sport as a whole. 

The Phenomenon called Bolt is here to stay for Ages. I don’t fathom anyone taking the mantle from him. 

There is no ‘ Bolt ‘ coming soon.

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