Greats of the current generation of sprinters have earned comparison to Usain Bolt but it is a mystery Jamaican athlete that got the world’s fastest man’s nod.
Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has opened up about a little-known Jamaican athlete who once had the potential to be as great as him but ultimately failed to live up to expectations.
Over the years, several young athletes have been dubbed the “next Usain Bolt” due to their early performances, with names like Olympic champion Noah Lyles and Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout receiving such comparisons.
However, in a recent interview on The Fix podcast, Bolt revealed that it was a lesser-known Jamaican sprinter who truly caught his eye.
“I won’t call the name, but one athlete I will never forget,” Bolt said. “We looked at him and said, ‘That youth’s talent—he can be as great as me.’”
Bolt recalled the first time he and his coach, Glen Mills, spotted the promising athlete at a track meet.
“I cannot forget—me and Coach Mills watched him, and we could see the raw talent. We said, ‘Let’s bring him in, watch him run, train him.’ He got a big contract. Everything was going well.”
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However, despite the initial promise, things quickly unraveled. Bolt explained that the athlete’s focus shifted after receiving financial success, leading to a drastic decline in performance.
“I watched that athlete go from the biggest potential to nothing. Because of money—he got the mentality of ‘I’m rich now.’ I tried to nurture him, but he didn’t want to. The athletes today, they are just in love with the lifestyle.”
Bolt has long been vocal about his concerns regarding the current generation of Jamaican sprinters, often criticizing their lack of drive compared to his era.
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Coach Duncan Ayiemba revealed the behind-the-scenes challenges, including unexpected changes in Ferdinand Omanyala’s support team, that led to his disappointing performance in Budapest.
He believes this mindset shift negatively impacts Jamaica’s aspirations for continued sprinting dominance.
With both the 100m and 200m world records to his name, Bolt remains the epitome of Jamaican sprinting excellence.
Bolt’s era saw Jamaica produce world-class talent that dominated the global sprinting scene, a legacy he fears is fading due to a lack of discipline and dedication among young athletes today.
