A simulation has now pitted Kishane Thompson in a race against the 2008 and 2012 version of Usain Bolt, as well as other greats like Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene.
The question of whether today’s sprinters can eclipse Usain Bolt’s legendary speed has ignited passionate debates among fans, pundits, and analysts for years.
Bolt’s blend of charisma and superhuman athleticism redefined sprinting, setting a benchmark that continues to inspire—and haunt—the generations that followed.
With eight Olympic gold medals and two seemingly unbreakable world records, Bolt’s supremacy is undisputed.
His 9.58-second 100-meter dash at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin remains the gold standard, achieved with an average speed of 23.35 mph (37.58 km/h). His 19.19-second world record in the 200 meters, also in Berlin, further cemented his reign as the fastest man alive.
When Bolt retired in 2017, he left behind not just records—but a vacuum. For years, sprinting fans wondered who could possibly fill it.
Noah Lyles came close, winning the 2023 World Championships and 2024 Paris Olympics, proudly claiming the title of “the fastest man in the world.”
But recently, two new Jamaican stars—Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson—have stormed onto the scene, reviving hopes of another Jamaican sprinting dynasty.
At the 2025 World Athletics Championships, Seville and Thompson claimed gold and silver respectively, signaling Jamaica’s return to dominance.
Despite finishing runner-up twice on the global stage, Thompson’s 9.75-second run in Kingston last June remains the fastest time of the decade—rekindling comparisons with Bolt’s prime.
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But is Thompson actually faster than Bolt?
A fascinating 3D simulation by Motion Athlete, now trending online, attempts to answer that question by pitting the fastest men of every decade—from the 1960s through the 2020s—against one another on a virtual track.
The lineup reads like a sprinting hall of fame:
Jim Hines (USA, 1960s) – 9.95s, the first man under 10 seconds, who also played baseball before turning to track.
Silvio Leonard (Cuba, 1970s) – 9.98s, the Cuban sprint pioneer.
Carl Lewis (USA, 1980s) – 9.92s, the nine-time Olympic champion who dominated the 80s.
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Maurice Greene (USA, 1990s) – 9.80s, the first true modern power sprinter.
Usain Bolt (Jamaica, 2000s & 2010s) – 9.58s and 9.63s, the undisputed GOAT.
Kishane Thompson (Jamaica, 2020s) – 9.75s, the new face of speed.
The simulation shows Bolt’s 2009 Berlin version exploding out of the blocks and quickly separating from the pack.
Even the Thompson avatar—known for his flawless technique and steady acceleration—can’t quite catch him over the final 40 meters. By the finish line, 2008 Bolt beats Kishane by roughly two meters, followed very closely by the 2012 Olympic games version, reaffirming that his record remains untouchable, at least for now.
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Thompson had to settle for third place, while Maurice Greene and Carl Lewis finished fourth and fifth respectively.
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However, the simulation also comes with key disclaimers. It did not account for variables such as temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, or differences in physical versus density altitude — all of which significantly influence sprint performance.
The evolution of shoe technology was also ignored, meaning Bolt’s 2009 spikes and track surface are treated as equal to the far more advanced setups used today.
If these modern advancements were factored in — along with the increasingly optimized training, nutrition, and recovery methods used by today’s sprinters — the margins would likely tighten.
Analysts suggest that under identical technological and environmental conditions, Thompson’s efficiency and smoother turnover could make him nearly level with Bolt’s 2012 form, though the 2009 version would still be marginally faster.
In essence, while Kishane Thompson represents the next great chapter in Jamaican sprinting and has recorded the fastest time of the 2020s (9.75s), Bolt’s 2009 peak remains the gold standard.
The 3D simulation offers a thrilling glimpse into the evolution of speed — and a reminder that even in an era of hyper-optimized training and gear, Bolt’s brilliance continues to defy time.
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