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Sixteen years have passed since Usain Bolt blazed around Berlin’s track, setting world records that seemed almost supernatural at the time. The 9.58 in the 100m and 19.19 in the 200m weren’t just fast – they were otherworldly performances that redefined what human speed could look like. Today, as the world championships approach, those marks remain as distant as ever.
The Jamaican legend isn’t losing sleep over anyone threatening his legacy anytime soon. Speaking at a recent Puma event in Tokyo, Bolt made it clear he doesn’t see today’s sprinters getting close to his times. His confidence isn’t arrogance – it’s based on what he’s watching unfold on tracks around the world.
What makes Bolt’s assessment particularly striking is how much attention these sprint events still generate. Major championships draw massive audiences, and that popularity shows up clearly in the betting markets. Sprint finals consistently rank among the most wagered-on events at world championships and Olympics. Fans get invested in split-second margins and photo finishes in ways that other sports can’t match. This popularity and engagement in sports betting have led many online gambling platforms to expand their athletics coverage, with some now also accepting crypto payment methods including options to accommodate the sport’s growing global fanbase (Source: https://99bitcoins.com/bitcoin-wallet/sports-betting)
The numbers tell a clear story for anyone hoping to challenge Bolt’s supremacy. Since 2009, only Yohan Blake has managed to break 9.70 in the 100 metres back in 2012, and Blake remains the sole runner to dip under 19.30 in the 200. These aren’t just statistical footnotes – they represent massive gaps in a sport where improvements are typically measured in hundredths of seconds.
Noah Lyles represents the current generation’s best hope for threatening Bolt’s legacy. The American sprinter has been vocal about his ambitions, suggesting he could run 9.65 and 19.10 during his peak years. Lyles backed up his confidence by sweeping the 100 and 200 meters at the 2023 world championships, channeling Bolt’s signature ability to perform when global attention focused on him. But his personal best of 19.31 in the 200 still sits outside Bolt’s realm.
This year’s world championships feature Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson as the season’s fastest 100-meter runner with his 9.75 clocking. Thompson’s time represents excellent sprinting by any historical standard, yet it falls short…
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