Let’s take a moment to forget about all the world records and Olympic golds. Think about what Usain Bolt did for track and field: the way he brought excitement to the sport and dominated it for over 15 years. His presence on the track was unmatched, and when you break down how he achieved everything, it’s clear why we might never see an athlete like him again. Even sprinting legend Michael Johnson has said that no one today is likely to surpass Bolt’s achievements. His 100m world record of 9.58 seconds remains the ultimate challenge, and young sprinters like Noah Lyles, Christian Coleman, Erriyon Knighton, and Letsile Tebogo have all expressed their desire to break it.

But here’s the thing: despite all the talk and the hype, none of these rising stars have come close to breaking his record. Even athletes like Yohan Blake and Andre De Grasse have all called out Bolt and talked about wanting to compete with him to break his 100-meter time, but it hasn’t happened yet. Bolt’s record still stands strong, untouched by anyone. And now Bolt has agreed to an unconventional solution to address the situation.

Bolt’s thoughts on the ‘Race Me’ requests from fans

Recently, Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt opened up about a common request he receives from fans: racing. Despite retiring in 2017 after his final World Championships in London, Bolt remains an international icon due to his record-breaking Olympic victories. His easy-going nature and affable personality make him a favorite among both kids and adults, who frequently stop him on the streets for photos or a race. During a recent appearance at the GQ Men of the Year awards, Bolt was asked by interviewer Amelia Dimoldenberg if he found these requests annoying.

In a video posted by Track Spice on X, Dimoldenberg asked Bolt, “Do you find that when you meet fans, they ask to race you? Is that really annoying?” Bolt responded with his humor and honesty, saying, “When adults do it, I’m okay with the kids, but when adults do it…” Bolt also discussed an interesting idea raised by Dimoldenberg: the suggestion of having an ordinary person race alongside elite athletes to show their speed. Dimoldenberg argued that such a race would help people understand just how fast professional sprinters really are.

Bolt responded thoughtfully, saying, “A lot of ordinary people always talk like, ‘I think I can do that.’” When asked if someone like Dimoldenberg could race alongside him, he jokingly asked, “Are you good at running?” To which she humorously admitted, “Now? Absolutely not. I’m terrible. I’m actually not even that good at walking.” But while Bolt keeps things light, Noah Lyles, the 100m gold medalist from Paris, isn’t still backing down from his goal of breaking Bolt’s records.

Noah Lyles again vows to beat Usain Bolt’s records; can he do it?

Before the Paris Olympics commenced, Noah Lyles confidently expressed his ambition of surpassing Usain Bolt‘s records in the 100-meter and 200-meter events. Although he fell short of achieving this goal in the event, his determination remains unwavering. However, facing skepticism from athletes like Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist who firmly believes that Bolts records are beyond reach, is undoubtedly challenging. Johnson unequivocally stated, “There’s never going to be another Usain Bolt.” He’s not only discussing the occasions but also highlights the character and impact Bolt brought to the sports scene as well as beyond statistics, according to Johnson.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Lyles is backing down. Despite Johnson’s doubt about anyone matching Bolt’s influence, like him, Lyles remains determined to pursue those world records of surrendering the goal altogether. Hitting his record in Paris with a time of 9.79 seconds in the 100-meter dash has placed Lyles in the ranks of the 12th fastest-ever recorded times. However, challenging Bolts’ world record of 9.58 seconds would indeed be a feat to achieve for Lyles. Despite the challenges he faces on his journey, as an athlete, Lyles remains determined and motivated by the pursuit of goals, believing that it is this drive that propels athletes to surpass their boundaries.

Right now, Lyles proudly holds the title of “fastest man in the world” after his big win in Paris and is only at the beginning of his career journey marked by seven gold medals from the World Championships and an Olympic gold medal—solidifying his status as one of the top athletes in the sport. During an interview with Dan Patrick about when Bolts’ record might be broken, Lyles expressed, “I’m trying to get it done as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t give you an exact date. But as athletes, we’re always looking to improve ourselves and take on greater challenges.” Lyles knows it’s a tough road ahead, but that’s what keeps him motivated—he’s not giving up on the dream of breaking Bolt’s legendary records one day.