EXCLUSIVE | 'More Fun And Excitement': Usain Bolt Feels There Is 'A Lot Of Personality In Athletics Now'

Eight-time World Champions and sprint legend Usain Bolt expressed that the modern world of athletics has a lot of personalities to help the sport stand out in an EXCLUSIVE interview with CNN-News18.

The

100m World Record holder, Bolt, who revolutionized the sport of sprinting with his persona on and off the track, opined that people can relate to athletics more now thanks to the personality the competitors bring in.

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“I think more and more people can see the personality, because now I’m watching, I see a lot more of the athletes doing a lot of things,” the 39-year-old said.

“So it’s good because people get to relate and it’s a lot more fun. It brings more excitement,” he added.

The world of athletics has witnessed the growth of multiple star names including the likes of American sprinter Noah Lyles and Botswana runner Letsile Tebogo since Bolt decided to hang up his spikes. The rise to prominence of young athletes has extended athletics a new lease on life and made the sport more attractive to budding talent coming through the ranks, sport enthusiasts and for casual viewers.

When asked who the sprinter he’d liken to his younger self, Bolt opined that Tebogo has a style similar to the Jamaican back in his heyday, where he thrilled crowd with his larger-than-life personality and track abilities.

Bolt highlighted the intense competition and the way athletes push each other, which he described as the unique beauty of athletics. He also fondly recalled watching Indian athletes train, which brought a smile to the face of the long-time poster boy of athletics.

Bolt, who set the 100m World Record in 2009 at the Berlin World Championships with an impressive time of 9.58 seconds, believes his record will endure despite the competitive nature of modern sprinting. He mentioned that he preferred competing in the 200m dash event.

Having enjoyed a stellar career for a prolonged period, Bolt stated that the desire and hunger from within were crucial factors in achieving everything he has. He expressed confidence that his 100m record of 9.58 seconds, set at the Berlin World Championships in 2009, would remain unbroken for a while longer before anyone can catch up to the Jamaican legend.

Usain Bolt was in Mumbai on Wednesday for a Puma India event as the legendary sprinter is their brand ambassador.