Track and field has long been a stage for record-breaking performances and legendary athletes. But beyond the races and medals, another conversation quietly shapes the sport. Usain Bolt, the biggest name to ever grace the track, pulls back the curtain on an issue few openly discuss—one that goes far beyond just speed and talent.

 

 

Sprinting legend pulled up to the YouTube channel of ‘The Fix’ and shed light on the most debatable topic in the track. The director of creative stuff at ‘The Fix,’ Arianne Hammond, asked Bolt how gender dynamics affect pay in track & field. Consequently, this track and field sensation did not hold back from sharing his insights. The lesson from Bolt? If you want to earn more, just running fast isn’t going to cut it.

 

Success in track and field isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about proving yourself time and time again. “They must always get medals even if they don’t go all night,” Lightning Bolt says, highlighting the expectation for consistent performance. In a sport where potential alone isn’t enough, respect is earned through results, not promises. “So you have to respect them. You can’t say a little talent must come out. You don’t know where it’s going to go yet.”

 

 

 

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Do you agree with Usain Bolt that star power and showmanship are more important than raw talent in track and field?

 

 

Do you believe Nike’s focus on empowering female athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Jordan Chiles is a game-changer for women’s sports?

 

 

 

Bolt highlighted the importance of putting up a show to earn more: “It’s all about crowd pull. If they can’t pull a crowd, they get paid.” Bolt stresses this reality, explaining that those who can’t generate excitement often struggle to get paid. He points to the sport’s business-driven approach, where marketability plays a crucial role. We cannot help but think about Noah Lyles. Not only did the Florida native win Olympic gold by clocking in at 9.784s at the Olympic games in 2024, but the sprinter is known for turning heads in every possible way- speed? check, personality? check, fashion statements? check!

 

During the discussion, Hammond chimed in with the example of Sha’Carri Richardson—an athlete who commands attention beyond just her performance. Bolt agreed, reinforcing the point: “If they know, if they say they can’t pull a crowd, they get the money because they understand that.” But that’s not always the case. Recently, Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and a well-known tech entrepreneur, showcased the difference in male and female athletes’ earnings.

 

As per Ohanian’s X post, in 2024, the top 15 women athletes have earned $221 million through endorsements and salary/winnings. Sounds like a lot right? Well not really, not when you compare the figures with those of the male athletes. Only endorsement earnings are almost double the combined earnings of females. But how does the man, the myth, and the legend, Usain Bolt, fit in this conversation about the financial incentives of the track?

 

 

 

For the 38-year-old, the track meant more than what it could give him in return. The Olympic champion used to love racing, and it was not only because running on the track can convert into money. For athletes like Usain Bolt, it’s not about the money, it’s about the passion and love for running- the sheer excitement. And yet, despite his mindblowing success, Bolt often faced criticism—some even questioned how he commanded such massive earnings in track & field.

 

Usain Bolt defends his payday after a rival confronts him over earnings in track & field

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Notwithstanding his strong command and influence on the track, Bolt would often find himself defending his earnings. In a candid moment, he recalled an athlete from another sport directly confronting him, questioning how he was “taking all the money.” Bolt, unfazed, broke it down, “Bro, first of all, I run six races a season. Six races. There’s about 20 of them.”

 

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The Jamaican sprinting sensation is well aware of his influence and popularity. Over the years through his participation in championships, he has earned his reputation as the fastest man on earth. It’s a no-brainer that money will follow. The number of races he ran is inconsequential, just his presence was enough to fill the stadiums and bring in the revenue. The Jamaican retired sprinter candidly replied, “When I show up, you know how many people have come to see?”

 

 

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Thanks to his incredible showmanship, he has amassed a lot of wealth. A lot. But there have been some hiccups as well. But that is beside the point. Love him or question him, Bolt’s impact on track & field is undeniable. With his simple existence, he turned races into global spectacles and proved that star power can help you gain revenue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Usain Bolt has a plan to prove just how fast he still is almost eight years after retiring.

 

The sprinting icon ended his career after the 2017 World Athletics Championships aged 30.

 

 

Bolt says ‘everybody’ asks him how quick he is now

Bolt says ‘everybody’ asks him how quick he is :

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist retired in 2017 aged 30

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist retired in 2017 aged 30

However, he revealed last year that ‘everybody’ now asks him how quickly he could run the 100m now.

 

Bolt’s personal best across the distance was 9.58secs, set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

 

 

The time remains the 100m world record, with Bolt also holding that distinction in the 200m and 4x100m relay.

 

Appearing on the Obi One Podcast in July, Bolt was asked how quickly he could run the 100m now.

 

 

The 38-year-old replied: “Everybody always asks me that question.”

 

When asked if his time would still be under 11 seconds, he said: “Yeah, of course.

 

As for 10 and a half seconds, Bolt explained: “I think maybe 10 and a half, that’s where I’m like.

 

 

“Yeah, maybe that would be me. I’ll probably rip my hamstring. I’d probably have to run reserved but I’ve said this now.

 

“So I’ve said to people, everybody asks me this question now. I was like you know what, I’m going to go home, I’m going to train for three weeks, I’m going to do some work for three weeks.

 

“I’m just going to go to the track, run and do it and just see if I can go fast. Seriously, so I can put it out because I have no idea.”

 

Bolt believes he could still run 100m in 10.5secs eight years on from retiring

Bolt believes he could still run 100m in 10.5secs eight years on from  Obi One Podcast

 

The sprinting icon plans to train and prove how quick he still is

The sprinting icon plans to train and prove how quick he still

Bolt’s glittering career saw him win eight Olympic gold medals across the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Games.

 

Those include three consecutive victories in both the 100m and 200m.

 

A time of 10.5secs at last summer’s Olympics would have been quick enough to see Bolt through the opening preliminary round of heats.

 

However, he would not have progressed to the semi-finals, with the slowest qualifier clocking 10.16secs.

 

 

Eventual champion Noah Lyles won the final with a personal best of 9.79 seconds in Paris to take the gold medal.

 

His time remained over two 10ths of a second short of Bolt’s world record from 16 years ago, though.

 

Michael Johnson reveals why he doesn’t believe in Gout Gout hype amid Usain Bolt comparisons

 

 

 

 

Australian sensation Gout Gout is already being hailed as the future of sprinting.

 

The teenager smashed the previous 200 meter record for a 16-year-old with a time of 20.04 seconds during the Australian schools championships in December.

 

 

Gout Gout is dominating Australian youth sprinting

Gout Gout is dominating Australian youth sprintingCredit:

It is the second fastest effort over the distance by anybody under 18 — Erriyon Knighton posted 19.84 seconds as a 17-year-old in 2021.

 

Gout, who turned 17 just before the New Year, has already broken Peter Norman’s Australian 200m record from when he won silver at the 1968 Olympics.

 

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson knows a thing or two about the sport and is launching the upstart Grand Slam Track League in 2025 with $12.6 million in prize money.

 

 

He spoke to talkSPORT at the Super Bowl and revealed that fans should pump the brakes on the Gout hype train.

 

“There have been so many phenoms that have come up at 15, 16 years old and didn’t get to ultimately be best of all time or a gold medalist because it’s a very difficult sport,” he said.

 

 

“I’m always hesitant in talking about him because everybody’s talking about him right now. I’m hesitant to put more pressure on him. You know, that’s undue.

 

 

“Let him just go out there and keep having fun and develop quietly. And that’s where he will have his best chance.

 

“He’s compared to Usain Bolt a lot. You know, a lot of people don’t know this — Usain Bolt was in the 2004 Olympics. Didn’t win, didn’t make the final.

 

 

“But ultimately he went through the Olympics. He did OK, right? He ultimately ended up being the greatest of all time, full stop, bar none. He’s the greatest.

 

 

“It’s a journey. So you don’t want to put too much pressure on this young kid, but he is a phenomenal talent. I’d like to see him just continue to be able to quietly and slowly develop into this because it’s a very difficult sport.”

 

Gout has also clocked 10.04 seconds in the 100 meters, leading many to anoint him as Jamaican legend Bolt’s heir apparent.

 

Gout is already the fastest ever Australian over 200mCredit:

 

Bolt won eight Olympic gold medalsCredit: Getty

The GOAT has even admitted that the newcomer ‘looks like me at the same age.’

 

Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming says she will attempt to protect the young athlete.

 

“You can imagine at the moment he’s going to have every sporting code, every agent, every commercial entity, they’ll all be chasing him and he hasn’t even finished year 11,” the Commonwealth Games gold medalist told 2GB’s Wide World of Sports.

 

 

“Part of our responsibility as an organisation is to make sure the young man gets to his 30’s in good physical and mental shape so we need to try and temper it. Make sure he gets back to school, hangs out with his mates, has a good time with it all, while still progressing him on the way through.

 

“It’s a long road. Rightly so he’ll probably make next year’s world championships and then Olympic Games and another Olympics and maybe another Olympics after that.”

 

Gout’s father Bona recently confirmed his son’s name is Guot, and is pronounced ‘Gwot’.

 

Bolt and Johnson are two of the greatest sprinters of all timeCredit:

 

“His name is Guot, it’s supposed to be Guot,” he insisted. “When I see people called him Gout Gout, I’m not really happy for him.

 

“I know that Gout Gout is a disease name but I don’t want my son to be called a disease name. It’s something that’s not acceptable.”

 

A translation error by the Sudanese government as the family migrated to Egypt is the reason for the discrepancy, per Daily Mail Australia.

 

But Gout’s manager has oddly insisted the original pronunciation is correct.

 

 

 

 

Coleman recorded a video capturing Katt Williams’s shoutout to Richardson from the stage while the two athletes were enjoying the show from their front-row seats. As Coleman recorded the video, he briefly panned the camera toward Richardson, who was seated beside him, highlighting their presence together at the event.

 

Williams said:

 

“Sha’Carri, let me tell some you something, god dammit! You make us so moth******* proud. You make us so moth******* proud.”

 

The 28-year-old shared the video on his Instagram story on February 14, adding a caption hinting at his relationship with Richardson:

Sha’Carri Richardson has competed in the World Championships, with her most recent appearance in the 2023 games. She won two gold medals in the women’s 100m and the 4x100m relay, along with a bronze medal in the women’s 200m event. In addition to her World Championships victories, she made her debut at the 2024 Olympic Games and won one gold and one silver in the 4x100m relay and 100m events, respectively.

 

 

Christian Coleman, on the other hand, competed in the 2016 Rio Games and 2024 Paris Olympics. However, in both of the events, he did not secure any medals, placing seventh and eighth, respectively. In the 2023 World Championships, he won a gold medal in the men’s 4x100m relay and finished fifth in the men’s 100m race. Throughout his career, Coleman has won a total of eight World Championship medals — four gold and four silver.

 

 

Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman make a joint appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX

Sha'Carri Richardson at 2024 Paris Olympics: Day 14 – Source: Getty IP Guests At Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15 – Source:

Sha’Carri Richardson at 2024 Paris Olympics: Day 14 – Source: Getty IP Guests At Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15 – Source:

At the Super Bowl LIX held at the Superdome in New Orleans, Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman made a joint appearance in the stands during Jalen Hurts’ performance. Coleman shared the video of Kendrick Lamar’s performance on Instagram on February 11.

 

 

The event attracted several high-profile athletes and Olympians, many of whom were involved in brand promotions. Among them, Coleman and Richardson were spotted in the stands. The video he shared featured a cheering crowd and several pre and post-game photos.

 

Coleman also wrote a caption referring to his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons, and expressed hope for their success next season. He wrote:

 

At the Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles secured their second championship title with a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles’ defense dominated, sacking Patrick Mahomes six times and forcing multiple turnovers. A key moment came when cornerback Cooper DeJean intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Despite a late push from the Chiefs, the Eagles maintained control and confirmed their victory.

 

 

It is stated that a sprinter who was hailed as an Olympic great after outpacing a teenage Usain Bolt in a 200-meter time has quit sports.

James Gallaugher, a native of Ulladulla, a small Australian seaside town, gained notoriety in 2012 after a video of his race in the NSW Primary Schools Championships surfaced on YouTube. As shown in the video below, a 12-year-old Gallaugher wins a spectacular victory in the 4×100-meter relay by coming back from a deficit of at least 20 meters with 100 meters remaining.

His time set a new record for his age group and was 0.08 seconds faster than 14-year-old Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist. James is exceptional.

I wouldn’t say it merely because I coach him. Scott Richardson, a previous sprinting champion at the time, remarked, “He is a freak, and I mean that in the best way possible.”

“When I talk about him with my wife and my family, we just say he is going to be the greatest sprinter we have ever had if he keeps improving at the rate which he is.”

Richardson, like many others, would advise Gallaugher to run competitively if he kept getting better, but after such a bright beginning to his career, it seems that things will take a turn for the worse after just two years.

“The difficulties of early celebrity became evident,” he stated.

“At the national level in Australia, he found it difficult to dominate, even though he improved his 100-meter time to 10.77 seconds at the age of 15.

It was challenging for him to keep his advantage when competing against contemporaries who were more physically developed.

“Experts pointed out that although James was quick, he lacked the stature, physique, and biomechanics of elite sprinters like Usain Bolt.

He stopped participating in competitive sports at the age of sixteen.

His early departure was probably caused by a combination of his physical limits and the tremendous pressure of being compared to a legend.

 

 

 

Amazfit, a global leader in smart wearables known for its precision and trusted by athletes worldwide, has officially announced the five times Olympic medalist and fashion icon Gabby Thomas as their latest athlete spokesperson. As part of this four-year partnership, Thomas will leverage Amazfit smart wearables for data-driven training optimization, enhancing her performance and continuously pushing her limits. In addition, she will provide feedback and insights to Amazfit’s product development and design teams to help improve future product functionality and design.

 

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Thomas won gold medals in the 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events, becoming the most outstanding athlete in the US track and field team at the Olympics. In addition, she has won multiple Diamond League championships and won bronze medals in the 200m and silver medals in the 4x100m relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This collaboration with Amazfit is Thomas’ first partnership with a smartwatch brand, further validating the importance of data in improving sports performance.

 

Commenting on the collaboration, Gabby Thomas said, “I am very excited to collaborate with Amazfit because for me, details determine everything. As an athlete, this is exactly the way I can continuously improve my collaboration. Objective data is crucial for my physical condition – whether it’s tracking my heart rate during training, checking my recovery, or understanding my sleep quality, with the help of reliable smart wearable brands like Amazfit, my training method will be completely upgraded.”

 

“We are very honored to welcome Gabby to the Amazfit team,” said Wayne Huang, founder and CEO of Zepp Health. “Her outstanding sports career and love for fashion perfectly align with the brand concept of Amazfit empowering users to explore the extraordinary. Through this collaboration, we will continue to help athletes break limits and break records with the help of Amazfit’s smart wearable ecosystem,” he added.

 

Among Amazfit’s product lineup, Thomas will also be using the Amazfit Active 2, the brand’s latest smartwatch, which recently earned prestigious industry accolades, including: Best Smartwatch at CES 2025 by Tom’s Guide, Digital Trends Award and Best of CES 2025 by AndroidGuys.

 

Amazfit has always been committed to creating products that promote comprehensive health and life balance, and firmly believes that a healthy life needs to maintain balance between the four core health pillars of “physical fitness, sleep, mindfulness, and nutrition”. Amazfit’s Active, Balance, and T-Rex series, sports smartwatches, Helio smart rings, and Zepp App are all designed to help athletes and health enthusiasts track and optimize their comprehensive health status. Whether monitoring heart rate, tracking sleep cycles, or recording dietary intake, Amazfit can provide accurate health insights, allowing users to manage their health in a scientific way.

 

With the addition of Gabby Thomas, Amazfit has further expanded its athlete lineup. Amazfit has established partnerships with several world-class athletes, including HYROX world champions Meg Jacoby and Hunter McIntyre, international top Padel star Bea González, as well as Olympic athletes Morgan Pearson (Ironman triathlon) and Yemaneberhan “Yeman” Crippa (5k & 10k).

 

 

 

Media accreditation for the inaugural European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven on 12-13 April is now open.

 

In a first ever for the sport, regular runners will have the chance to run with elite athletes in a European Athletics championship event. The top 25 runners from each country – elite and amateur – will have their result contributing to the country’s team ranking in 10km, half marathon and marathon distances.

 

With three iconic courses encompassing the Royal Palace, the European Parliament, Tervuren Park, Leuven’s City Hall and the Stella Artois brewery, it promises to be a lifetime experience to remember for all runners.

 

Registration open

Registration for media requiring official accommodation closes on 16 March. Registration for media not requiring official accommodation closes on 1 April.

 

Official Media Hotel:

DoubleTree by Hilton****

Ginestestraat 3

1210 Brussels

Belgium

 

Single Room: 195 EUR*

Twin room: 220 EUR*

Check-in time 14:00

Check-out time 11:00

 

*Quoted prices are per room, per night and include tax/VAT, breakfast and Wi-Fi

 

 

The official entry points are Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels North Train Station. To those who are accredited for the event, the LOC will provide transportation between the official media hotel and the competition venue. Times of the shuttle bus will be provided at the information desk in the media hotel.

 

 

 

Every so often, an athlete may feel they were born in the wrong era.

 

Andy Murray emerged amongst tennis’ ‘Big Three’ to claim three Grand Slam titles, but many argue his total would have been far more had he been born in a different generation.

 

Yohan Blake played second fiddle to Usain Bolt in his prime years

Yohan Blake played second fiddle to Usain Bolt in his prime yearsCredit: Getty

 

A similar case may be made for Neymar, whose undeniable talent would perhaps have seen him claim multiple Ballon d’Ors were it not for the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

And if there is one athlete who arguably best captures this argument, it’s sprinter Yohan Blake.

 

The second fastest man of all time, the Jamaican had the misfortune of coming up against Olympic legend Usain Bolt in his prime.

 

Blake won two silver medals at London 2012 in the 100m and 200m, coming second to Bolt in both events, who tasted Games glory eight times in his historic career.

 

 

And though the 35-year-old boasts two Olympic golds in the 4 x 100m relay, won alongside the fastest man alive, he has insisted that he is not celebrated for his achievements back in Jamaica.

 

Speaking after a Diamond League event in July 2024, Blake claimed that some of his impressive feats are overlooked in his home country.

 

 

He said: “My own country Jamaica doesn’t give me the respect.

 

“But I’m happy they don’t because other people outside do, and they appreciate me more than my own country.

 

“I’m happy that I’m able to be crowned elsewhere apart from Jamaica, so I’m looking to continue to do what I’m doing until I’m happy to step away when it’s time.”

 

 

Explaining the lack of support in his and Bolt’s homeland, Blake suggested that his compatriot’s record-breaking achievements have overshadowed his own.

 

Blake is one of the greatest sprinters of all time, but was frequently pipped by Bolt

Blake is one of the greatest sprinters of all time, but was frequently pipped by BoltCredit: AFP

Fastest 100m sprinters in history

Ranking Sprinter Personal best (seconds) Year

1 Usain Bolt 9.58 2009

=2 Yohan Blake 9.69 2012

=2 Tyson Gay 9.69 2009

4 Asafa Powell 9.72 2008

5 Justin Gatlin 9.74 2015

=6 Christian Coleman 9.76 2019

=6 Trayvon Bromell 9.76 2021

=6 Fred Kerley 9.76 2022

=9 Ferdinand Omanyala 9.77 2021

=9 Kishane Thompson 9.77 2024

The athletics star continued: “Jamaica loves winners and once you’re not winning, they’re not supporting you.

 

“But I don’t need their support, I have my own support staff and I’m my own motivator.”

 

 

Despite feeling a lack of encouragement from his home fans, Blake has still had plenty to celebrate in his career.

 

In addition to his four Olympic medals, the sprinter is a two-time world champion, winning gold in both the 100m and 4 x 100m relay after Bolt was disqualified in the final of the former.

 

With a 100m personal best of 9.69 seconds, Blake stands alongside US sprinter Tyson Gay as the joint second fastest man in event history, behind Bolt.

 

It is a similar story in the 200m, with Blake’s 19.26 mark only just behind his fellow countryman’s record of 19.19.

 

 

Compatriots Blake and Bolt shared the same coach in the peak of their careers in legendary trainer Glen Mills

Compatriots Blake and Bolt shared the same coach in the peak of their careers in legendary trainer Glen MillsCredit: AFP

Blake was a key figure in the fastest-ever Olympic 4x100m relay team

 

Meanwhile, his times of 9.75 in 100m and 19.44 in 200m in the finals at London 2012 are the fastest Olympic sprints in history to place second in the respective events.

 

Given just how high Blake ranks among sprinting’s all-time greats without ever tasting individual Olympic glory, the Jamaican would certainly be forgiven for feeling slightly hard done by.

 

 

And in 2019, he admitted that had it not been for Bolt, he would have dominated the field of sprinting.

 

Speaking to the Times of India, he said: “If you take Bolt away from the picture, I would be the fastest man in everything. I feel like I was born at the wrong time.

 

“But nevertheless, I am happy with what I have achieved. Yes, it was hard because it was his time and it was hard competing against Bolt.”

 

British sprinter Divine Iheme shows he is ‘quicker than Noah Lyles and Usain Bolt’ and is set to rival Gout Gout as he smashes 100m record

 

 

A teen sprinter who trains in Middlesbrough has sent shockwaves through the athletics world by becoming England under-17 champion over 60m.

 

Celine Obinna-Alo stormed to victory at the England Athletics Open U15/U17/U20 Indoor Championships at English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Saturday. Having clocked 7.46 seconds in both her heat and semi, the teen powered away in the final to finish in 7.38 seconds, a championship record and just 0.03 seconds outside Asha Philip’s British under-17 record.

 

At the age of 14, only Olympic 400m bronze medallist Katharine Merry has run quicker (7.35 seconds), placing Gateshead Harriers athlete Celine in an exclusive club. The youngster, from Houghton-le-Spring, said: “I’m really pleased and I’m so grateful to my friends, family, coaches, manager and everyone in my team who has supported me.”

 

Her coach Richard Kilty, from Stockton, winner of sprint relay bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, took part in the medal ceremony. Presenting her with the gold medal, Richard said: “Well done champ, all of that hard work, I’m so proud of you – amazing.”

 

Celine trains at Middlesbrough Sports Village, which is run by Everyone Active in partnership with Middlesbrough Council. She is part of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, which empowers aspiring athletes to achieve their full potential through access to state-of-the-art training facilities and mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians.

 

These facilities include Middlesbrough Sports Village, Rainbow Leisure Centre and Neptune Centre, as well as 240 other sites across the country. Richard is an Elite athlete on the scheme, meaning he works alongside other established athletes – such as Maisie Summers-Newton and Lauren Steadman – to offer advice to up- and-coming hopefuls in mentoring sessions throughout the year.

 

Last summer, the initiative supported 26 Sporting Champions who competed in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, achieving nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals. Olympic silver medallist and former world record holder Colin Jackson is the scheme’s Ambassador. You can apply for the 2025-26 Sporting Champions scheme here.