Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist and widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time, has once again reminded the world of his deep love for track and field. In a recent interview, the Jamaican legend named seven sprinters who would make up his “dream 100m lineup,” a hypothetical race that would bring together some of the fastest athletes in history. Bolt’s selection includes a mix of past icons, current stars, and rising talents — a group he says would create the ultimate showdown on the track.
First on Bolt’s list was his long-time rival and friend, Yohan Blake, whom he called “the best training partner and competitor” he ever had. Blake, known as “The Beast,” remains one of the few sprinters to ever defeat Bolt in a major competition, and Bolt admitted that their rivalry pushed him to new heights. He believes Blake’s explosive start and fierce determination would make him an essential part of any dream race.
The Jamaican great also included Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion and 2017 World Champion, despite their heated rivalry over the years. Bolt acknowledged that Gatlin’s longevity and ability to remain competitive well into his late 30s earns him a spot. “He always brought the challenge,” Bolt said. “He made me work harder every single time we lined up.”
No dream lineup would be complete without Tyson Gay, the American sprinter who once ran 9.69 seconds, making him one of the fastest men in history. Bolt praised Gay’s technical ability and top-end speed, saying that he would love to see a fully healthy Gay compete against today’s generation under ideal conditions.
Bolt’s list also included a nod to the present, naming Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles as the two modern stars he’d invite to the dream race. Kerley, the 2022 World 100m Champion, is known for his combination of raw power and versatility across sprint events, while Lyles, the current 100m Olympic champion, brings charisma and a relentless finishing kick that reminds many fans of Bolt’s own style.
To pay tribute to history, Bolt included Carl Lewis, the legendary American who dominated sprinting and long jump in the 1980s and 1990s. Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, revolutionized sprinting and inspired a generation of athletes — including Bolt himself. Bolt said Lewis’ consistency and big-meet mentality would make him dangerous in any race.
Finally, Bolt gave a surprise inclusion to Asafa Powell, the former world record holder who first broke the 9.80 barrier and helped usher in the modern era of sprinting. Powell’s smooth running style and ability to deliver blistering times in the mid-2000s, Bolt explained, laid the groundwork for his own rise.
Fans have already begun debating Bolt’s dream lineup online, with many suggesting that such a race would be the most star-studded 100m in history. While this matchup will never take place, the thought of these seven sprinters lining up together — with Bolt himself in lane four — is enough to make any athletics fan dream.
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