Usain Bolt retired from track and field in 2017 at the height of his career, with a series of factors influencing his decision.
The fastest man alive, Usain Bolt, announced his retirement from track and field in 2017, a decision that left fans with tons of questions concerning his move to step away at the pinnacle of his career.
After the 2017 World Championships in London, Usain Bolt made the bold move and has never looked back since then. At the global event, Bolt finished third in the men’s 100m behind Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman.
In the men’s 4x100m relay team, Usain Bolt failed to finish the anchor leg after pulling up an injured. After the race, the Jamaican sprint legend lay on the ground in pain for some minutes before being helped off the track by his teammates.
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Usain Bolt made the bold decision to retire due to several factors, including physical challenges, a desire to preserve his legacy, and aspirations beyond the track.
His retirement age, 30, is considered relatively young since most sprinters of this current generation are still going strong even beyond that age.
Why Usain Bolt retired early
Physical challenges & age
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Usain BOLT gives his last press conference PK Pressekonferenz as an athlete during the London 2017 IAAF World Athletic Championship at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, United Kingdom.
Image source: Imago
It is normal that as athletes age, the demands of sports like sprinting become increasingly taxing. Usain Bolt retired at the age of 30 and while his age was not particularly considered old, it is seen as advanced for a sprinter.
He faced declining athleticism and acknowledged that his body was no longer responding as it once did.
Preserving his legacy
Usain Bolt wanted to exit the sport as a legend and he was acutely aware of the importance of retiring at the right time.
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The eight-time Olympic champion observed that most athletes are always reluctant when it comes to retirement and sometimes, that can tarnish their reputations.
Reflecting on this, Bolt told BBC Sport: “I’ve seen too many people retire and come back just to make it worse or to shame themselves. I won’t be one of those people.”
Pursuing new challenges
Usain Bolt wanted to have a life for himself beyond track and field, particularly football, and after retiring from sprinting, he pursued a career in professional football.
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Usain Bolt at a training with Borussia Dortmund
Image source: Imago
He trained with clubs like Borussia Dortmund and the Central Coast Mariners in Australia but his football venture was not a long-term career. His passion for football demonstrated his desire to explore new challenges and passions.
Usain Bolt’s decision to retire was multifaceted, coming from the influence of his physical body and his desire to preserve his legacy and aspirations beyond the track.
His retirement marked the end of an era in athletics, but his impact on the sport and his pursuit of new challenges continue to inspire.
Usain Bolt’s career was marked by unparalleled achievements. He is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and holds world records in both the 100m and 200m events, with times of 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds, respectively, set at the 2009 World Championships.
