Usain Bolt has opened up on the youngsters who are breaking his long-standing records
Usain Bolt has already expressed his excitement over new “personalities” in sports, expressing his views about young athletes surpassing his records.
In the wake of Nickecoy Bramwell’s incredible achievement earlier in the year, 16-year-old Gout Gout broke yet another record last week when he won the silver medal in the 200 meters at the U20 World Championships in Peru with a time of 20.60 seconds. In the same race, the young Australian just managed to beat Bolt’s 2002 mark, when he was nearly 16 years old.
Despite having a faster time in the first round (20.58), the Olympic legend finished in 20.61 in the final. Over twenty years after Bolt’s valiant efforts, South African Bayanda Walaza won gold in 20.54, and British competitor Jake Odey-Jordan took home bronze in 20.81.
At the Carifta Games in Grenada in May, 16-year-old Jamaican prospect Bramwell broke Bolt’s Under-17 400m world record by barely 0.07 seconds, clocking 47.26 seconds. The previous record held by Bolt lasted an astounding 22 years.
Speaking following Bramwell’s accomplishments, Bolt expressed the hope that, with his famous days overshadowed, athletics would receive a much-needed boost of new life. In addition, he asserted that since leaving the track, the sport had changed.
Because of my personality and who I was as a person, it kind of went down after me, Bolt remarked. However, I believe things will improve with time. I believe that a few characters are missing from the sports world, and I believe that young sportsmen will make a difference in the next years.
Who gets to inherit Bolt’s heavy crown is another matter altogether, though. While Bramwell has caught the eye at longer distances, it’s Gout who seems to be the major contender for Bolt’s age-group records in the 100m and 200m.
The young athlete’s performance has drawn strong comparisons to Bolt, with Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming among those claiming the young runner could be the next Olympic conquering superstar. Gout has taken such remarks with a degree of calmness rarely seen at such a young age, declaring that the compliment was “pretty cool”.
Meanwhile, Bramwell, who has overcome several injury problems to now be discussed in the same breath as Bolt, has stated he now wants more of the legend’s records. He said: “It’s a wonderful feeling to break the record. Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record.
“So it’s a great feeling I could come out here and get it. I just took my mind off it and focused on the record. I’m looking forward to better things.”
Bolt, 37, who retired in 2017, won eight Olympic gold medals and still holds world records in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. He now spends his athletics retirement with his family while also dabbling in celebrity charity events, like playing in Soccer Aid.
