Category: Track and field

  • American Grant Holloway wins third straight world indoor 60m hurdles gold

    American Grant Holloway wins third straight world indoor 60m hurdles gold

     

    American Grant Holloway, unbeaten indoors in 11 seasons, clocked 7.42 seconds for victory in the 60m hurdles on Saturday.

    American Grant Holloway, unbeaten indoors in 11 seasons, clocked 7.42 seconds for victory in the 60m hurdles on Saturday.

    Holloway three-peats in world indoor 60m hurdles

    Chris Bailey leads US sweep of men’s 400m medals

    American Grant Holloway made history by storming to an unprecedented third consecutive world indoor 60m hurdles title in Nanjing on Saturday.

     

    The 27-year-old, unbeaten indoors in 11 seasons, clocked 7.42 seconds for victory, with France’s Wilhem Belocian taking silver in 7.54sec, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of China’s Liu Junxi.

     

    Holloway’s victory maintained a win streak that has seen him go undefeated in indoor hurdles races since March 2014, when he was 16 years old, including all preliminaries and in combined events.

     

    Amber Anning of Great Britain poses for a photo after winning the Women’s 400m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing

    GB’s Amber Anning makes history with 400m gold at world indoors Read more

    Including the 55m hurdles and 60m hurdles, he has now won 94 consecutive indoor races.

     

    His victory was the first time a hurdler had won three successive titles – American Allen Johnson having won three titles, but not in a row (1995, 2003, 2004).

     

    “To win three indoors and three outdoors, I think I’m the first person in history to ever do that. That’s an amazing stat,” said Holloway, whose outdoor successes came in Doha, Eugene and Budapest (2019, 2022, 2023).

     

    “It was great. This one was a little bit different. I didn’t have two great rounds, and had to rely on my experience to get me through the final.

     

    “But I knew what I had to do, I knew what I was missing. With that being said, a big shout-out to the sports staff. Everybody was telling me, ’You’ve done this a million times before, you’ve just got to do it again’.”

     

    Holloway said that the race could well be his last hurrah, with a new discipline on the horizon.

     

    “I think I can put grace in it and hang up the 60m hurdles and try out a new event next year,” he said. “That’s something I can think about.”

     

    Coming through the NCAA system at the University of Florida, Holloway competed not only in the long and short hurdles, but also in the flat sprints over 60 and 100m, as well as relays. He has a long jump best of 8.17m from 2018.

     

    He added that he had his eye on a potential fourth world outdoor title when Tokyo hosts the next championships in September.

     

    “We’ve got the 110m hurdles coming up in the next couple of months, so I will put my best foot forward for that,” said Holloway, the Olympic champion whose 12.81sec in the US Olympic trials in 2021 make him the second-fastest man in history at the event.

     

    “It’s a world championships, you’ll always have nerves for the world championships wherever you’re at.

     

    “I just want to continue to work hard, figure out ways to continue to win, perfect my craft, and continue to challenge myself and my sports staff and coaches to get better.”

     

    In other events on Saturday, American Christopher Bailey won his maiden global crown in the men’s 400m in 45.08sec, leading a US podium sweep ahead of compatriots Brian Faust and Jacory Patterson.

     

     

  • Bolt made history after warming up in corridor and didn’t even look at the clock

    Bolt made history after warming up in corridor and didn’t even look at the clock

     

     

     

    It seemed like the universe was against Usain Bolt at the 2008 Reebok Grand Prix.

     

    Rain lashed down on the track at the 5,000-capacity Icahn Stadium in New York City as multiple puddles quickly formed.

     

     

    Bolt made history in some far from ideal conditions in New York City

    Bolt made history in some far from ideal conditions in New York

    But for the field competing in the 100m event, their preparation was hampered even further when lightning was spotted in the area.

     

    Bolt had grown used to running in inclement weather and wanted to carry on, but organisers in New York City were not as willing.

     

    As a result, it left Bolt and his rivals left to warm up in a rather inconvenient spot, as he explained on the Ready Set Go podcast.

     

     

    “I didn’t know in the (United) States that when there’s lightning, they shut everything down,” Bolt said.

     

    “It was raining. I was used to it, I was like, ‘Yo, let’s go.’ And they go, ‘No, there’s lightning.’ So they have to wait half-an-hour to an hour.

     

     

    “So we’re just there trying to stay warm. So it’s back-and-forth, back-and-forth, and trying to make sure we’re good. As athletes, you’ve got to make sure you stay warm.

     

    “There wasn’t even much space there to stay warm because that stadium was made for smaller meets.

     

     

    “So it wasn’t like a proper track, it was just a little thing in a corridor that you could warm up. It was crazy.”

     

    Eventually the competitors made their way onto the track, which was still wet, at the Icahn Stadium.

     

    Bolt lined up in lane four, with rival Tyson Gay next to him in lane five.

     

    The Jamaican detailed just how chaotic his preparation for the race was

    The Jamaican detailed just how chaotic his preparation for the race wasCredit: Ready Set Go podcast

     

    Gay went into the race less than a year on from claiming the gold medal in the men’s 100m at the 2007 World Athletics Championship in Osaka.

     

    But it would be Bolt that stole the headlines in the Big Apple.

     

    The Jamaican nudged himself in front at the halfway mark and never looked back as Gay and the rest of the field struggled to keep up.

     

    When Bolt crossed the line, a time of 9.72 flashed up on the clock and instantly confirmed he had set a new world record.

     

    However, the thought of setting a new record didn’t even enter Bolt’s mind when he crossed the finish line as he continued to run around the track.

     

     

    “I didn’t even look at the clock though,” Bolt said.

     

    Bolt streaked away from his rivals despite the wet track at Icahn Stadium

    Bolt streaked away from his rivals despite the wet track at Icahn Stadium

    He had plenty to smile about once he learned he’d just set the new 100m world record

    He had plenty to smile about once he learned he’d just set the new 100m world

     

    Bolt played up to the crowd, which featured several Jamaican flags

    Bolt played up to the crowd, which featured several Jamaican

    “If you watch the race, when I got to the 200m, I was doing a lap. Then I heard when the announcer said, ‘Yes, official, it’s a world record.’ That was when I actually heard it was a world record.

     

     

    “I didn’t even know that. Because when I ran across the line, I was just happy to beat Tyson Gay. That was my main goal going there.

     

    “It was pure competition for me.”

     

    It wasn’t long before Bolt re-wrote the history books once more.

     

    The Jamaican set the new world record for the 100m three months on from the Reebok Grand Prix when he ran 9.69s at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

     

    Bolt would eclipse his sizzling time a year later at the 2009 World Athletics Championship in Berlin, as he crossed the line at 9.58s.

     

    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

    Had to play it cool’ – How one meeting with Nike helped Usain Bolt seal $10m deal with rivals

    It is a record that still stands today, underlining the freakish nature of Bolt’s feats.

     

     

  • Kenyans heartbroken as 800m medal dreams crash at World Athletics Indoor Championships

    Kenyans heartbroken as 800m medal dreams crash at World Athletics Indoor Championships

    Susan Ejore walks off the track in visible disappointment after her race at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing. IMAGE/ Team Kenya

    Kenyans faced setbacks in Nanjing as key athletes exited early, impacting the nation’s medal hopes at the global event.

    Kenya’s medal ambitions at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing took a major hit on Saturday after all three of the country’s representatives in the 800m category—Lilian Odira, Alex Ngeno Kipngetich and Noah Kibet—were eliminated at the semi-final stage, ending hopes of podium finishes in the middle-distance event.

     

    Lilian Odira, who had impressed in the heats to reach the women’s 800m semi-final, struggled in her race and finished a disappointing sixth in Heat 1, clocking 2:16.12—far outside the top three required for qualification.

     

    The race was dominated by Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Nigist Getachew, along with Portugal’s Patricia Silva, all of whom booked their slots in the final with sub-2:05 performances.

     

    Sha’Carri Richardson pens heartfelt message for boyfriend Christian Coleman following recent event

    Sha’Carri Richardson pens heartfelt message for boyfriend Christian Coleman following recent event

    : Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.

     

    Odira, a silver medallist at the African Championships, had entered the semis full of optimism but was unable to match the pace set by her competitors in a tactical and high-tempo heat. Her elimination now leaves Kenya without a finalist in the women’s 800m at the indoor global showpiece.

     

    The disappointment extended to the men’s 800m, where both Alex Ngeno Kipngetich and Noah Kibet failed to progress past the semi-finals.

     

    Kipngetich, the reigning African champion, clocked 1:47.53 to finish sixth in Heat 3, while Kibet was fourth in Heat 1 with a time of 1:48.90. The top two in each heat earned automatic qualification, making the Kenyan duo’s times insufficient to continue.

     

    Jamaica’s third-fastest man & Canadian wife expecting third child, hint at possible baby girl

    Jamaica’s third-fastest man & Canadian wife expecting third child, hint at possible baby girl

    Their exit marks a stark contrast to the promise shown in Friday’s heats, where both had secured top-three finishes.

     

    But Saturday’s semis featured a stronger field, with USA’s Josh Hoey blazing through in 1:45.23, the fastest time of the round, and compatriot Brandon Miller also making the cut alongside finalists from Uganda, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.

     

    Kenya’s last hope in the middle-distance events now rests on Susan Ejore, who qualified for the women’s 1,500m final after finishing third in her heat with a time of 4:12.41.

     

    The final will take place on Sunday, with Ejore carrying the nation’s final hopes in the indoor competition’s middle-distance races. Her compatriot Dorcus Ewoi was unable to travel to Nanjing due to documentation issues.

     

    Elsewhere, Purity Gitonga is set to compete in the women’s 3,000m final from 2:15 pm today, while Cornelius Kemboi will take to the track for the men’s 3,000m final at 2:33 pm. Both athletes will be aiming to salvage Kenya’s medal tally at the championships.

     

    Akani Simbine brags about the one historic sprinting feat he shares with Jamaican legend Usain Bolt

    Akani Simbine brags about the one historic sprinting feat he shares with Jamaican legend Usain Bolt

    Kenya sent a team of nine athletes—four women and five men—to the global event, which concludes on Sunday.

  • ‘It doesn’t make sense’- Akani Simbine joins Noah Lyles in snubbing Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track

    ‘It doesn’t make sense’- Akani Simbine joins Noah Lyles in snubbing Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track

     

    Akani Simbine joins Noah Lyles in snubbing Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track Image source:

    Akani Simbine, alongside Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin, has rejected the Grand Slam Track League.

    South Africa’s Akani Simbine has joined Noah Lyles, Rai Benjamin and Co in explaining the major reason behind his decision not to sign up for Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track League.

     

    Akani Simbine explained that the event only favours athletes from the US since three out of four legs of the league will be held there.

     

    The newly-crowned world indoor 60m bronze medallist noted that travelling from South Africa to the US frequently will cost him a lot of money, adding that his coach, Werner Prinsloo does not fancy travelling that much.

     

    Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.

     

    Letsile Tebogo, Christian Coleman, Kishane Thompson set for epic 100m battle in Shanghai

    Letsile Tebogo, Christian Coleman, Kishane Thompson set for epic 100m battle in Shanghai

    He did not overlook the fact that the prize money was good but insisted that Grand Slam Track should expand to more countries to favour athletes from all around the world, not only the US-based ones.

     

    “It’s much travel time to America, it’s very far for us to get to America so I would rather stay on the European side and do the Chinese side because if I’m doing China then I have to go back to the state side, it’s a lot of travel and coach doesn’t want to travel that much,” Akani Simbine said in an interview with Letsrun.com.

     

    “We just decided to stick to the normal circuit and then keep on going. It’s a big issue because it’s American-based and for us, it doesn’t make sense because we are going to have to stay in America for two months or three.

     

    ‘Nobody wanted to fight the big man’- Victor Wanyama joins Virgil van Dijk as one of Celtic’s best

    ‘Nobody wanted to fight the big man’- Victor Wanyama joins Virgil van Dijk as one of Celtic’s best

    “Who’s going to cover those costs? It’s an expense for us and we can’t cover it. If we moved around the world, it would be a great opportunity to pursue.”

     

    Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin had also criticized the event concerning their broadcast deal but Michael Johnson took up the challenge and has already announced several broadcast partners.

     

    Rai Benjamin also explained that 2025 being a long season, he is not looking to compete that much in the build-up to the World Championships and that is not what Grand Slam Track offers.

     

    Akani Simbine also touched on competing at the World Indoor Championships, revealing that he is not one of the best starters but had to show up for the challenge which luckily earned him a medal.

     

    The 31-year-old added that the medal means so much to him and South Africa and hoped that it is a great start to his 2025 as he eyes the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.

     

    “It’s so hard man, it’s actually so difficult to go into it knowing that you have to be as aggressive, as fast and as quick in the beginning because if you don’t, the race is gone,” Akani Simbine said.

     

    Kenya vs Gabon: Possible Lineups, Team News, Time and Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

    Kenya vs Gabon: Possible Lineups, Team News, Time and Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

    “It’s a world medal at the end of the day and it’s a medal to my name and to me, it’s a world medal that comes from not knowing anything about this type of competition. It’s an important medal for me to have, hoping this keeps me going.”

     

    He now shifts focus to the outdoor season where he will be targeting the two Diamond League Meetings in China, Xiamen and Suzhou before planning for what next.

  • Molly Caudery reflects on Olympic heartbreak ahead of world title tilt

    Molly Caudery reflects on Olympic heartbreak ahead of world title tilt

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    From heartbreak in Paris to fire in Nanjing, Molly Caudery insists she is ready to prove her Olympic nightmare will not be career defining. The reigning world indoor champion is the favourite to retain her pole vault title in China in the early hours of Saturday morning.

    And her Olympics shock, when she failed to register a clean effort in qualifying despite being favourite for gold, is serving as a big motivation. Caudery said the days after were “like a grieving period” but she took herself home to Cornwall, spent time healing in the sea, and worked closely with a psychologist.


    Article continues below

    Understanding exactly what went wrong has been hard to put a finger on. “It was just a bad day to have a bad day,” she says. But the outcome has been channelling it into her future efforts.

    “One thing I did get from Paris was an extra fire and extra desire for this year,” she adds. “And if that’s what I can take from it, that’s great.

    “I took that into the winter and I’ve trained so hard and I’ve come out this year and there is that extra want in me and I think that’s a positive thing.


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    “I don’t think it really was down to anything. Probably on average, I may no height once a year or most athletes may no height once a year, or once every two years.

    “And mine just happened to be on the biggest competition of my life. Not ideal, but what can I do now? I think all I can do is learn from it and not let it happen again.”

    The winter has been interrupted by a couple of hamstring and calf injuries but a leap of 4.85m in Madrid late last month has filled her with confidence. “It’s not been ideal,” she admits.

    “It’s very minor but I’ve not been able to jump fully healthy. “That’s almost even more exciting because I’m still jumping well, off shorter approaches than I ever have.

    “Jumping 4.85m in Madrid was probably among the best jumps I’ve ever done so that in itself is very exciting, knowing I’ve been doing that with slight injury. Now I’m fully healthy, that’s great.”

    Article continues below

    The entire Paris podium is absent in Nanjing to leave Caudery, once again, as the big favourite to triumph. Switzerland’s Angelique Moser looks the biggest threat, beyond another injury, and Caudery adds: “There’s been quite a lot of talk around it because there’s a few girls that aren’t coming.

    “But it’s still going to be a really great competition. I just know I need to jump the best I can. If I was to jump 5m and not win, I’m not going to be disappointed. But I think it’s just, go out there, trust in my abilities, trust that I’ve had a good winter’s training, and take each bar as it comes and see what I can do.”

     

  • More trouble for Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo & Co as former Olympic champion announces his return to the 200m

    More trouble for Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo & Co as former Olympic champion announces his return to the 200m

     

    More trouble for Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo & Co as former Olympic champion announces his return to the 200m Image source:

    The 200m race is heating up as a former Olympic champion has hinted at a comeback, adding more competition for Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo, and Co.

    Australian teen sprinting sensation Gout Gout has been on a roll, making waves in the 200m but more trouble awaits Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo and Co as former Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs has hinted at trying his luck in the distance.

     

    In the past two seasons, the 200m was dominated by Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo but that is about to change following the recent trends in the half-lap race.

     

    Gout Gout is not the only one who will be out to challenge the two sprint kings since Marcell Jacobs has also joined the chat as he hopes to enjoy a stellar 2025 season.

     

    : Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

     

    ‘Nobody wanted to fight the big man’- Victor Wanyama joins Virgil van Dijk as one of Celtic’s best

    ‘Nobody wanted to fight the big man’- Victor Wanyama joins Virgil van Dijk as one of Celtic’s best

    In a lengthy post on his Instagram handle, the world 4x100m silver medallist explained that as he gears up for the outdoor season, he will begin his campaign with a 200m race in Miami this weekend.

     

    This will be in preparation for the epic clashes that await him, including racing against the crème de la crème of the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao on May 3.

     

    “This Saturday I’ll be in Miami for a training race 🇺🇸 I’ll be returning to running 200m after almost seven years, an opportunity to test new sensations and refine the work I’ve done over these months,” Marcell Jacobs revealed.

     

    Harambee Stars’ 18-year-old defender eyeing dream debut against Gambia

    Harambee Stars’ 18-year-old defender eyeing dream debut against Gambia

    “It will also be the opportunity to run the 4×100 relay with my teammates from Jacksonville, a first step of a year that is predicted to be full of competitions. 💪🏽 It’s going to be a fun time so hang with me! 🤝❤️ 🔥.”

     

    Jacob’s personal best time over the distance stands at 20.61, a time he ran at the Campi Bisenzio Regional Championships in Italy in 2018.

     

    His return to the distance marks a significant chapter in his life as he hopes it will be a stepping stone to posting impressive performances this season.

     

    Harambee Stars: What do Kenya need to qualify for World Cup after thrilling draw with Gambia?

    Harambee Stars: What do Kenya need to qualify for World Cup after thrilling draw with Gambia?

    In 2024, he struggled to make an impact in most of his competitions including the men’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games where he was the defending champion. He rounded up his season at the Galà dei Castelli with a fourth-place finish.

     

    In 2025, Marcell Jacobs has already started his season, competing at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix where he finished fourth in the men’s 60m race won by Noah Lyles.

  • Michael Johnson explains biggest problem facing Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson & Co that he is about to solve

    Michael Johnson explains biggest problem facing Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson & Co that he is about to solve

     

     

    Michael Johnson is determined to end the huge pay disparities between athletics and other sports.

    American sprint great Michael Johnson has weighed in on one major concern that track and field stars are facing which he is in the process of changing.

    American sprint legend Michael Johnson has never hidden his dislike for the low amounts of money track and field stars take home.

     

    Despite having some of the most popular athletes in the world, when it comes to earnings, track and field stars are nowhere to be seen on the list of highest paid athletes in the world.

     

    As per figures of 2024 Salary/Winnings earned by 100th Highest-Paid Player released by Spotico, they are grim statistics for track and field stars as even the top earner did not match the 100th best paid tennis player, who took home $1.2 million in 2024.

     

    It is the sad reality about track and field which does not have, say, $1 million competitions that an athlete can take home from one event, like many other sports.

     

    ‘I don’t make my money on the track’- Gabby Thomas on why she opts for multiple jobs beyond running

    ‘I don’t make my money on the track’- Gabby Thomas on why she opts for multiple jobs beyond running

    Currently, the highest paying major competition is the World Championship, where gold medalists were taking home $70,000 each in 2023, although there are lucrative city marathons that pay north of $100,000 per win.

     

    However, Johnson is determined to change this and believes he is on the right track through his Grand Slam Track.

     

    : Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.

     

    “Any guesses how much the 100th highest paid track & field athlete makes? This does NOT include endorsements so shoe contracts don’t count? Hint: Track & Field #1 doesn’t equal tennis #100. But I’m about to change that,” Johnson posted on X, while explaining the pay disparities between track and field and other sports.

     

    Johnson is the figure behind Grand Slam Track, whose first leg will take place in Kingston, Jamaica from April 4-6, before it moves to Miami, Philadelphia and concludes in Los Angeles.

     

    At Grand Slam Track, the winner of each race will pocket $100,000 per leg with the possibility of taking home a total of $400,000 from the entire event if an athlete wins his or her discipline in all four legs.

     

    In 2024, top track and field stars like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson did not even make $400,000 in earnings from athletics competitions with their lucrative endorsement deals boosting their coffers, a sad situation that Johnson is now confronting.

     

     

  • Letsile Tebogo, Kishane Thompson and Marcell Jacobs set to face off in 100m at Diamond League Keqiao meeting

    Letsile Tebogo, Kishane Thompson and Marcell Jacobs set to face off in 100m at Diamond League Keqiao meeting

     

    The second Diamond League meeting of the season will see Olympic and world champions go for 100m glory in the men’s race.

     

     

    Some of the biggest names in sprinting are set to clash for what will be a highly anticipated 100m race at the 2025 Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao on 3 May.

     

    Letsile Tebogo, Kishane Thompson, Christian Coleman and Marcell Jacobs will all go head to head in the People’s Republic of China at the second Diamond League event of the season.

     

    Tebogo made history at Paris 2024 when winning gold in the 200m, becoming Botswana’s first-ever Olympic champion.

     

    After five Diamond League victories last season, Tebogo is now shifting his focus to the 100m as the 21-year-old aims to add another major title to his name.

     

    Lining up alongside him will be Jamaica’s Thompson, who won silver in the 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Jamaican sprinter is quickly cementing his place among the fastest men on the planet and will be a major threat in Keqiao.

     

    Italy’s Jacobs meanwhile secured his place in Olympic history when he stunned the world at Tokyo 2020, becoming the first Italian to win Olympic gold in the men’s 100m.

     

    Also in the field is American Coleman, a former world champion who has won multiple Diamond League titles.

     

    The men’s 100m in Keqiao also features South Africa’s Akani Simbine, Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, and the People’s Republic of China’s Xie Zhenye.

  • Play it cool’ – How one meeting with Nike helped Bolt seal $10m deal with rival

    Play it cool’ – How one meeting with Nike helped Bolt seal $10m deal with rival

    At the peak of his athletic career, Usain Bolt was a man in demand when it came to sponsorships.

    After all, who wouldn’t want a piece of the fastest man on the planet?

    But there’s only one deal that would be his most recognisable.

    That would be his contract with sportswear giant Puma, who he wore during his most iconic moments on the track.

    Bolt and Puma’s partnership began in 2002, long before he set any of his world records.

    However, Bolt was at risk of being dropped by Puma in 2004 as Jochen Zeitz, who was CEO of the brand at the time, explained in an interview with NBC he was concerned with the Jamaican’s work ethic.

    “We said, ‘Well, he’s a young guy, but he doesn’t really want to train as hard as he should,’” Zeitz said.

    “He has all the potential but he does get injured. If he doesn’t practice, he’s never going to be great.”

    Puma ultimately elected to persist with Bolt and it was a decision that paid off handsomely, as he went on to win eight Olympic gold medals and set the world record in the 100metre and 200metre events.

    Thanks to Bolt’s exploits on the track, he inked a new deal with Puma in 2013 that was estimated to net him an eye-watering $10million (£7.7m) per year.

    The figure reportedly dropped to $4m (£3m) once he retired to act as an ambassador for the brand.

    Based on those numbers, Bolt will have earned around $78m (£60m) given he retired in 2017.

    Bolt’s best moments on the track came with him wearing Puma gearHowever, Bolt’s staggering contract may never have happened had it not been for him meeting with one of Puma’s biggest rivals.

    Speaking on the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, Bolt addressed the rumours he was set to sign with Nike during his peak years.

    Although the Jamaican denied he came close to signing on the dotted line with the American brand, they still had a big role to play in securing his eight-figure pay day.

    “We had a meeting with Nike,” Bolt said.

    “That’s the only time we had a meeting with Nike. Puma matched the contract. They got me paid. Nike got me paid, bro.

    “Zeitz was the Puma CEO at the time. He flew us to Kenya that year. We sat and discussed.

    The Jamaican explained how a meeting with Nike helped land him a $10m contractCredit: Ready Set Go podcast“When he told me the figure, I had to play it cool, bro. They got me paid, I must say.

    “It was the second contract. We’re having no conversations, we are getting paid.”

    Bolt added his $10m deal came ‘before I got hot’, underlining his business prowess.

    Well, it’s either that or Puma had tremendous foresight to know what Bolt would go on to produce out on the track.

  • All Smiles for Sha’Carri Richardson’s BF Christian Coleman as He Sends a Firm Message After Track & Field Invitational

    All Smiles for Sha’Carri Richardson’s BF Christian Coleman as He Sends a Firm Message After Track & Field Invitational

     

    “Let’s do it again next year even bigger!🙏🏾🖤,” read Christian Coleman’s caption back in 2024 when he posted about the successful completion of the Christian Coleman Invitational.

    And bigger, has it not been? What started in 2020 with the participation of just a few schools and that too only from Georgia had a little less than 50 schools participating in the 2025 meet, which includes some schools from the neighboring states as well and has the two-time world champion Sha’Carri Richardson as chief guest. The Christian Coleman Invitational was hosted by the Westlake Lions Track and Field team on March 15, 2025. After the meet, Coleman came out penning down a message for the fans. And what did he say?

     

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    Coleman took to his Instagram story today to reshare a combined post made by the hilightssportsmedia, Coach Watson, and Coach Cage. He captioned it, “Great turn out for the CC invitational. Truly motivational to receive so much love and be able to touch the youth in the sport that has given me so much.

    Already looking forward to next year.” Every year around a thousand students show up at the invitational to compete and to impress the three-time world champion. Motivated by such passion and his desire to promote the sport in the community, Coleman is already focused on next year.

     

    The post featured some insights from the invitation, like the picture of Westlake coaches, Watson and Cage along with the man of the moment Coleman himself, holding a jacket that read all of his big career accolades, “@_coleman2 Meet live from @westlaketfxc. @coachcage x @coachswatson held a great event stay tuned for more pics & videos from this great event.” Coleman was seen blessing someone with a signed shoe in one of the pictures, and in the last picture, there was an all-smiling Sha’Carri Richardson, flashing her big smile. “Even special guest @itsshacarri was in attendance for this great day of track & field,” the caption further read.

     

     

     

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    The past 6 years have only seen growth in the CC Invitational. In 2022, the two-time Diamond League winner said in an Instagram post, “Looking forward to next year being even better!” posting a video of that year’s meet. Few schools participated in the meet that year. Turning to 2025, the field grew significantly, expanding to about 40 high school teams from Georgia alone, and like Westlake coach, Jason Cage said, “so it’s growing and it’s going nation wide.” The meet had additional teams from Florida and Alabama joining the competition.

     

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    Coleman, along with his girlfriend, made sure the two thanked the fans who made the meet such a big spectacle. They signed autographs and clicked pictures, and one fan even got his Nike spikes signed. And, his partner had some sweet words for him!

     

     

     

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    For Sha’Carri Richardson, Christian Coleman is the “Chosen one”

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    The man who the invitational is named after made sure to have a meet and greet with the fans. Accompanied by his girlfriend, the two can be seen signing autographs for the fans in the story shared by the Georgia native. He wrote in the story, “Keep inspiring the youth & the world 🌍 @itsshacarri 📈 I promise we right behind ya 🖤.” Sha’Carri definitely is a great inspiration to the youth, especially after the Nike ad, and she also didn’t miss out on praising her partner.