As the world’s attention turned to Japan to witness the new 100-meter champion, Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, watched from a stadium skybox, a reminder of the lasting shadow he casts over athletics.

Even eight years after retiring, Bolt’s records and presence remain unmatched. In an interview ahead of Sunday night’s track events, he said he is proud to have set the bar so high. “When I competed, my goal was to break benchmarks,” he said. “Now that I’ve retired, it’s satisfying to know I am the benchmark. To be the best, you aim to be a legend. I wanted to set high standards, and I did. I’m happy about that.”

Bolt’s accomplishments speak for themselves: eight Olympic golds, eleven world championship golds, and three enduring world records — 9.58 seconds in the 100m, 19.19 in the 200m, and 36.84 in the 4x100m relay. No athlete has come within .12 seconds of his individual times since his retirement.

Asked why today’s runners haven’t surpassed him despite advances in shoe and track technology, Bolt attributed it to natural talent. “You can’t just rely on new spikes,” he said.

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Beyond speed, Bolt’s charisma transformed track into a spectacle. His signature gestures, playful laps, wide smile, and interaction with fans made the sport more entertaining and relatable.

Sunday marked his first appearance at a world championship or Olympics since 2017. Now a father of three — Olympia, Saint Leo, and Thunder — Bolt looks forward to showing his children where his legendary career began, hoping they will one day grasp the magnitude of his achievements.

Source: Agency