BOLT NOW THE GREATEST SPRINTER EVER
Going into the London Olympics Usain Bolt continually stressed his desire to become a legend. In the eyes of many he already was having wOn three gold medals in world-record times in Beijing four years earlier and won the sprint double in world-record times a year later at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin.
Bolt’s accomplishments so far these Games have already elevated him to a new level. Yes, Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis won four gold medals in Berlin and Los Angeles respectively, but Bolt’s accomplishments have already surpassed both and here’s why. Since 2010, Bolt had not been at his best. Injury and I suppose a lack of motivation saw him lose a 100-metre dash in Stockholm to American Tyson Gay in 2010. It was his first loss since his countryman Asafa Powell beat him in Stockholm in 2008, just weeks before he conquered Beijing.
In 2011, Bolt was not as dominant over the 100 metres and was unable to successfully defend his 100-metre world title in Daegu because of what could very well be the most infamous false start in history. He bounced back to take the 200-metre title in 19.40, the second fastest time in the world that year. Blake would set an astonishing 19.26-second run in Brussels, a few weeks later.
So come 2012, and Bolt, by his standards, had an up and down season going into the London 2012 Olympic Games. He began the season with an impressive 9.82-second run and delivered fast times of 9.76 and 9.79, suggesting that he was rounding into the kind of shape that would see him successfully defend his Olympic title. Then in early June, Bolt was involved in an auto accident that would eventually trigger doubts about his health, especially when at the national championships at the end of that month he would not only lose to training partner Yohan Blake in the 100-metres, only his third loss in four years in the short sprint. However, Bolt had not lost a 200-metre dash since he finished second to Tyson Gay in the finals of the men’s 200 metres in Osaka, Japan in 2007. So when Yohan Blake defeated him in the finals of the 200 metres, concerns turned to intense worry. Would Bolt be able to be the superman he was in Beijing and Berlin?
Bolt departed the island a few days after the trials under a cloud of doubt but within weeks – after seeing his doctor in Germany – he was reportedly doing well in training. We heard reports of a 50-metre dash in 4.5-second 50-metre dash, we heard about consistently great starts but none of that would matter unless Bolt was able to transfer those performances to the track where he would face the fastest men in history.
In the finals Bolt would face Yohan Blake, whose 9.75s run at the national championships made him the fourth fastest man of all time, Tyson Gay, whose 9.69 and 9.71 made him the second fastest man of all time, Asafa Powell, who for all his shortcomings at major championships, has a personal best of 9.72 which makes him the third fastest man of all time, and Justin Gatlin, whose 9.80 at the US national championships put him in the top-10 of fastest men all time. Never before has such a quality field been assembled in the men’s 100-metres at a global championships. If ever there was a chance that Bolt could lose his Olympic crown it would be in London on the night of August 5, 2012.
Bolt however decimated the field. He recovered from a bad start and blew them away to win by a margin of 0.12 seconds, a city block in the world of sprinting. Bolt had just destroyed the best ever field of 100-metre sprinters ever assembled without much effort, even having time to glance at the clock even as his teammate Blake, the man who defeated him on June 28, found himself in a dog-fight with Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay for the other two medals. Blake equalled his personal best which was good enough for the silver but Bolt reigned surpreme.
Yes, it wasn’t a world record but he broke his own Olympic record setting the new mark at 9.63s. A great man is not judged by what he does when things are going well but by how he responds to adversity. Bolt’s performance on the night of August 5, demonstrated that he is made of the stuff of champions.
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44 Responses to “BOLT NOW THE GREATEST SPRINTER EVER”
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Fastest man ever and greatest sprinter = Usain Bolt.
Greatest Olympic Sprinter (and possibly athlete) ever = Jesse Owens.
Owens shut Hitler’s mouth up and his crazy insane doctrine. None of us will ever have to endure that pressure to perform that Jesse had to go through.
I watch that race my self, all night, seeing s believing, my country athlethes did a great job, i am very proud, may Jah Jah keeps reigning on them, blessed.
There is no doubt about that,its been proven.No more if ,ands,buts or maybe.that done wid.
Carl Lewis’ medals are tainted with the scent of performance enhancing drugs. On no less than three occasions he was given passes by the U.S. T&F federation that was policing its athletes then, as oppose to what obtains now with more international scrutiny from the IOC, IAAF and WADA. Therefore Lewis should not enter any discussions about athletics greatness!
Congrats to Bolt and all our athletes
all R JAs & all represented making us
proud, win or not.
Some outsiders R already showing envy
& jealousy, let us as a nation start to
unite & uplift not tear down who did
not get a medal, remember some countries
did not earn one so lets stop the critisizing
or what shoulda & coulda.
Expect the outsiders to critique out of
jealousy, when they win its ok, with JA more
drug testing, our athletes R not on drugs& their handlers/coaches need to pay close attention to how their urine & blood samples R safeguarded, so there’s no tampering by the Carl Lewis-s type of the world.
Hopefully we will use this high to become productive and honest here in JA pull up
our boots straps & stop grovelling for hand-
outs, we can do it.
WE R ON A MISSION
Kudos to the athletes. I am very proud of you. You have lifted the Jamaica map from the Caribbean Ocean into the center of the global hemisphere. I hope you continue to make the native at home and abroad proud of who and where they came from. Don’t forget to maintain self control, it’s the key to all accomplishment.
Yes he is.
And Carl Lewis needs to leave him alone and criticize American drug cheater Justin Gatlin who was caught and banned for 4 years and who denied Tyson Gay an individual Olympic medal in the 100M race.
Tyson (finished 4th in that race) behind the drug cheat.
Gatlin should have been banned for life!
Bolt is indeed an icon.an example of a living legend is michael phelps who has won medals in four olympics.Carl lewis has won medals in 4 olympics . Bolt is very likeable.He is however growing wings.I noticed he was not celebrating the relay race with his fellow jamaican athletes!Bolt needs to break 19 seconds in the 200 and run 9.4 in the 100.He also needs to come back in 2016 and win medals.Then he will be both a legand and the greatest like muhammed ALI!
Bolt is the Greatest Sprinter ever. it does not matter what people has to say what he has achived no man will ever do that again. best their is there was ever will be
I have found it difficult not to agree with the two previous writers and their argument. There are just two questions that I would like to ask that boy Carl Lewis. The first is, during the time when he was a champion if he was taking drugs? The second questionis,does he know that every now and then a phenom is born, whether its in track and field, swimming, boxing, cycling, or even acting.
Well, if he dosen’t know this the fact that he was a world champion himself, then he is telling the world that he is either an ediot,a dumb ass or a stupid, jealous,and an ignorant American,who I would suggest he either put up or shut up and don’t allow the world to any less about him.
I have found it difficult not to agree with the two previous writers and their argument. There are just two questions that I would like to ask that boy Carl Lewis. The first is, during the time when he was a champion if he was taking drugs? The second questionis,does he know that every now and then a phenom is born, whether its in track and field, swimming, boxing, cycling, or even acting.
Well, if he dosen’t know this the fact that he was a world champion himself, then he is telling the world that he is either an ediot,a dumb ass or a stupid, jealous,and an ignorant American,who I would suggest he either put up or shut up and don’t allow the world to think any less about him, the fact that he is so dumb.
Jamaica to the worlddddddddddddddddddd, yes we came and conquered so upward and onward we go to the next challenge ahead. Love, peace and unity to all Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora.
My heartiest congratulations to “Team Jamaica” for a stellar performance! You have done absolutely well for your country and every Jamaican on the face of the earth is proud of you. I was particularly proud and ecstatic when team Jamaica totally “occupied and owned” the podium….a feat that no other country in the 2012 Olympics could achieve! This should go down in history, and will remain INDELLIBLE in the world of sports..May God continually bless you all,and keep you fit so you’ll continue to shine and triumph in future competitions. Once again,I salute each and every member of the contingent who represented Jamaica at the 2012 Olympics. God Bless Jamaica !!!
CONGRATULATIONS to the Hon. Usain Bolt OJ,OD, The fastest and BEST in the business ! May God continually bless and keep you, and may you always be victorious wherever you go !
Carl Lewis is just a disgruntled old man. Every so often a Human freak of nature is born. Usain Bolt is one such Human. Therefore, he is more naturally talented than any other runner before him. Who knows? Another Human freak may be born in the next century or two. One thing is certain though: None of the current sprinters can break his records; plain and simple.
I agree with Barbara Johnson comment Tyson Gay should of gotten a medal instead of Gatlin who should of been banned for life. Smh his hard work did not pay off. Carl Lewis needs to Retire his mouth. Bolt isn’t the most handsome of guys but I am falling in love with his humerus personality. I realize its not arrogance its being jovial. Thats just who he is. May God Bless him with a sweet Jamaican born wife who loves him for rich or poor, sickness and health. LOL Tell him to call me.
Sure, he is one of the greatest athletes for all times. It is sad to see Carl Lewis not supporting him in the right earnest.
I concur that bolt is the greatest ever…as in heretofore. But to say that he is the greatest of all time is incorrect while time has not yet ended. And when it does end, who will care?
Bolt is awesome, so are the rest of the Jamaican teams. Why is it, when a Jamaican is so great, he is looked down by a certain nation
I am so damn proud of Usain Bolt and the rest of Jamaican athletes. We are living in a world where people will always criticize and be envious against one another. Yes, I agree with you Joe Bent, they better secure the urine and blood samples because as I said people are wicked and envious. I love my country. ONE LOVE.
Look – i am so very very proud of ALL our athletes including our swimmer; discus; javeline; taekwondo (sorry if I’ve missed anyone) – imagine that people – great!!!!! The Men’s 4×100 Relay was something else yu ‘ear! Carter Frater Blake & Bolt – wow! All I ask EVERYONE of our athletes is DON’T take any shortcuts yu ‘ear. Continue to work hard – remember (fortunately/unfortunately) it’s not just u or for u alone but also Jamaica your country all jamaicans everywhere & then the world! Be very careful of who’s around u …….”for the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”…… (some) people will do anything for money & don’t talk about those who are jealous & envious! May God protect u all while u all continue to do what is right. X
yes so far. and its should be known that he is the greatest who had taken part in such race!. I can bet any one that if one search around the world they will find some one who will beat him . so lets say he is the greatest who have taken part.
Indeed! and Professor Winston Davidson owes the Jamaican athletes an apology. He spent a whole day researching(Dick)Pound’s claim was our athletes were among those that were hard to find for dope testing! The claim is not just false and ‘spurious’ but LIBELOUS! Moreover, a man in his position, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and former chief of the World Anti-Doping Committee, CANNOT speak to the Press about such a matter “on his own behalf “. For you to take the position of leaving well enough alone, after spending a whole day to test the allegation, “… we spent the whole day trying to find evidence of it” is to sign an indelible vote of confidence AGAINST our athletes! As a Jamaican, I feel so great about their achievements, achievements attained in the land of our previous oppressors, and in the year of Jubilee – 50 years after Independence. It is my strong belief that nothing and NO-ONE should be allowed to tarnish their accomplishments. Moreover, Professor, you need to stand and back these young stalwarts by REQUESTING AN OPEN APOLOGY and a retraction [by Mr Pound] of his statement (whether or not he will do it again is inconsequential, he has already done it!) …This is not the time to fear losing a limb if we learn to read! TAKE A STAND for what is right and cause our athletes to know that we believe in them and stand with them in keeping free of drugs and for resisting the many temptations that they may have come their way! “..Let’s just leave it at that”? NO WAY!
yes he did it again .with the strength of god grace .jamaican eat good food and drink woodroot not pop are donnut nor hambergar.with the jamaica food they used prayer with it .then leave it up to the lord god of they creator.that what it take to do the job that thet do well.those poeple are mad who are saying those things .those are the one that taking drug that why they cannot understand what happen.they give jamaican bad name but we have good people from their amen. oscar.
Any mention of Carl Lewis in an article on Track & Field automatically renders the article sub-standard. Lewis was implicated no less than THREE times for taking BANNED substances, therefore ALL of his achievements are suspicious.
Gatlin comes back after a FOUR year ban and is running faster than before he was banned for PEDs?? Really??
Bolt is a legend in my eyes, even if no Rogge or Lewis believes it. So, let’s ignore them and move on. Now, what are we going to do about Jamaica? We can’t allow any more legends to get killed. What are we going to do!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats to all Jamaica and to our athletes. You did us proud! You were phenominal! After 50 years we have so much to be thankful for God is good(everytime). Its all good! Haters, low class, marginalized people, stand back! The likes of Carl “Looser” Lewis need to: “emancipate himself from mental slavery”.
We can all unite and build our country , the same spirit it takes to celebrate our achievements both in olympics and our independence we can channel the same energy and vibes to save lives , stop the killing , drive safely on the roads and respect our neighbours, ourselves and others property . It all start with love ..out of many one people.
Jamaican sprinting food is Yam,green banana, plantain, dasheen, coconut, sweet potato, jerk chicken, akee n salt fish… Ah fe nuh drug – Jamaica clean and the world beater dem
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=273629882738144&set=a.226113940823072.37948.222081491226317&type=3&theater
Please, no more mention of Carl What’s-his-name. This “drug” that Bolt, Blake et al are on, is one that will never test positive in a drug test! What is it? GGT – GOD GIVEN TALENT.
Usain you have proven to the world you are a true legend in your field. There is no other sprinter out there that can make that claim for the next fifty years. Congrats Jamaica. You deserve all the awards given to you.
Bolt has definitely achieved Legendary status but he can do so much more. Bolt has proven that he is the King of sprinting but can he still stay motivated after decimating his rivals. Well I believe it is time for Usain to give the world something more by competing in and winning the 400m. This event is what Usain started out competing while at William Knibb High School at Boys champs where he had no competition and if he took the training seriously could easily be World & Olympic champion especially because of his speed & long strides. This event was made for Usain Bolt and I know that he is potentially a better 400m runner than a 100m runner. Just imagine Bolt could easily win 4 gold medals in the 200m, 400m, 4*100m & 4*400m. Will Bolt give himself a challenge by taking on and training for the 400m – I believe the world deserves to see him do so.
Carl lewis is jealous of the attention and reknown Bolt is getting. When carl Lewis won he ran and grab an american flag with a hell of a long staff and everone knew it was orchestrated not spontaneous. He got no big endorsements for his show of “national pride’.
Bolt is getting big $$$$$ from endorsements and appearance fees. Before london 2012 he was getting between $220,000.00 and $300,000.00 per appearance. How much is he going to get now? Bolt is universally loved, something Carl lewis would sell his soul to attain.
We should be sure to mention that in winning the six gold medals four of them were “world Records”
Who else has achieved that. I am not sure about Phelps??
I don’t see you people mention anything about yohan blake, why not? did he not beat bolt twice in Ja? And looking at the 200m again I see where blake held himself back from crossing over for first place because if he had beaten bolt you Jamaicans would never had forgiven him. You would have all looked at him as a traitor because you all wanted to see bolt and he alone break record and come back with all gold. I vote for yohan anytime over bolt. Bolt is too full of himself
Bolt only lost only one race in 2011, the World Championships final.
Congratulations to all the athletes who represented Jamaica in the 2012 Olympics. You made all Jamaicans proud. I am still watching the videos of the finals. Don’t listen to naysayers, keep clean, stay fit, work hard, keep off the weight, eat right and God will reward you.
Sure Usain Bolt is just the greatest sprinter ever ! He declares it like Mohammed Ali and he went out and proved his point ! For those who would rather a more subdued approach,we must remember that in all fields of life people are born who are self motivated. A small fraction on one% of humans are trailblazers ,they are driven from within.They can’t be discouraged or gauged by what people are saying about them,but they just press forward until they attain their goal they set in their hearts
People like Thomas Edison,Henry Ford and Isaac Newton were in that small minute class that were willing to work and explore beyond what was already written.
When Usain Bolt says he is a legend it may well be the necessary spark needed to make him excel,so it is OK to say ” I am a legend!” but of course it is even sweeter when others say it also ! Nuff respect to the man !
@ladykeis. You may not like Bolt because according to you he is too “full of himself”, whatever that means, but one thing you cannot do and that is to deny him his moment. He defended his titles in the most emphatic way. Blake is not mentioned here because this moment does not belong to him; it belongs to Bolt. Blake’s moment(s) will come, but for now, it is about Bolt. Oh, and by the way, yes Blake did beat Bolt at the “Trials”, but that’s all it was, “The Trials”; no medals are won there!
I think Usain is fantastic and he has done all Jamaica proud. However leave out the superlatives. There is another who is going to surpass hiss feats, when we don’t know and after that one there will still be others. He is the man of the season, but seasons do change. Case in point Herb McKinley, Donald Quarrie and the forgotten Dennis Johnson, these gentlemen were fantastic in their time but as you can see they were surpassed. Let us enjoy Usain and Yohan but look forward to the next phenomenal superstar.
Ladykeis- I thought that too but when I saw the 200M after seeing the video from different angles. Bolt was leading all the way. Blake gain a little but Bolt had more juice when he look to left. Congrats to both.
big up to all the Jamaicans athletes you did us proud. To all the parents out there encourage your children to be the best in everything they set their mind to do, don’t put them down, speak positive to them and help them to achive they goal in life. Please let us unite and stop the killing of each other, the world is looking on us Jamaicans, mi tired of the negative write up in a paper, nuff of wi would love to come home and live, but not in that killing condition. God continue keep eye on JA
Congrats to the whole team to the London Olympics but special mention has to be made of Bolt as this is his moment. What he did has never been achieved before n we are not certain if it will ever be achieved by any other. He is deserving of his legendary status. The term greatest performance ever does not mean it wont be surpassed by another person in the future but to this date it is the best. I am not a Bolt fan but the man is great,i have heard that word”GREAT”been affixed or attached to mediocre performance especially in the srates but we must remember that never in the history of track n field have anyone decimated any sprint record as he did,not once but twice n is yet to lose at a major championship,i dare anyone to tell me that that is not great. My people we need not talk about Carl Lewis anymore as his thinking is along the line that for you to be superb drugs have to be involved so lets stop knocking him as thats the only way he knew. We must say kuddos to Michael Johnson as he was gracious in the acceptance of bolt performances n was even bllwn away n dumb-struck. Last but not least let us big up all jamaicans around the world but most of all the non jamaicans who supported us in all walks of life n I implore our people around the world the world n at home n embrace n remember our motto ”OUT OF MANY ONE PEOPLE.”walk good my people.
Mr. Bolt is the best sprinter in the history of Track and Field, and he is still at the top of his game. It was hard to become number ONE in the world, but it is more difficult to retain the number one ranking. A young man who is a multi-millionaire (in US$), must find it difficult to practice hard day-after-day, when he could sit at home in his mansion and enjoy life. Mr. Bold does not have to run anymore; yet, he still works hard, and retain his number one world ranking. Good Luck Bolt!