Speed, records, and big paychecks! These 5 track & field superstars are the richest as the 2025 season starts Image source: Imago i Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

Speed, records, and big paychecks! These 5 track & field superstars are the richest as the 2025 season starts.

Track and field is one of the most exciting sports and offers elite athletes substantial prize money. Top athletes also get the chance to earn from endorsements and sponsorships.

 

As the 2025 season begins, these five athletes have already made a name for themselves and stand out as the highest-paid in the world, thanks to their dominance on the track and their massive commercial appeal.

 

Pulse Sports Kenya looks at an analysis of what makes the athletes the richest at the start of the 2025 season even though most of them are yet to start their seasons.

 

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

 

1) Noah Lyles – $7 million

Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

 

Triple world champion Noah Lyles is undeniably one of the world’s greatest sprinters of his generation. He is a dominant force in sprinting and has raked in from his lucrative endorsements with Adidas, Red Bull, and Omega.

 

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At the start of 2024, Noah Lyles signed a lucrative extension deal with Adidas and it was reportedly the richest in track and field since Usain Bolt’s deal with Puma.

 

Noah Lyles also has a huge social media following that has greatly boosted his marketability. His on-track success and engaging personality have made him one of the most bankable athletes in the sport.

 

Noah Lyles’ electrifying performances and charismatic presence have made him a favourite among brands and fans alike. His track success and off-track deals with Omega, Red Bull, and Visa, have significantly boosted his annual earnings.

 

2) Jakob Ingebrigtsen – $5 million

Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

 

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has managed to position himself as one of the most valuable athletes in the sport and made a name for himself in Norway and beyond.

 

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Benni McCarthy makes South African-based defender his first Harambee Stars call-up

As of now, Nike remains his primary sponsor, offering him a lucrative deal that includes race bonuses and royalties from signature running gear. Ingebrigtsen has also worked with Polar, a leading fitness tracking brand, and various Norwegian companies looking to associate with his success.

 

He continues to make waves on and off the track and his estimated net worth continues to rise as he remains a dominant force in global athletics.

 

3) Mondo Duplantis – $5 million

Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

 

Mondo Duplantis, the world record holder in pole vault, could not miss this list, thanks to his hard work that has earned him massive amounts.

 

His electrifying performances, multiple world records and titles have secured him top deals with Puma, Red Bull, and Omega. Mondo Duplantis’ ability to break records consistently has kept him in the limelight and made him one of the highest-paid track and field stars.

 

Mondo Duplantis has been making waves in the pole vault, setting and breaking his world records multiple times and people are now drawn into watching the little-known event. Puma has invested heavily in Duplantis, ensuring that he remains a key ambassador for their track and field division.

 

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5 Highest paid African players in Qatar: Where does Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga rank?

His Red Bull deal also adds to his earnings, providing financial incentives for record-breaking performances. Additionally, Omega, a leading watch brand, signed him as a global ambassador due to his excellence in his event.

 

4) Faith Kipyegon- $5 million

Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

 

Faith Kipyegon reportedly has a net worth of around $5 million. Her primary source of wealth is from her competitions, sponsorships, endorsements, and investments.

 

The 1500m world record is undeniably the greatest 1500m runner ever and that comes with a lot of prestige but also marketability.

 

Faith Kipyegon’s prowess over the distance has earned her significant prize money as she has managed to win world and Olympic titles and also reign supreme at the Diamond League Meetings.

 

Faith Kipyegon is also a beneficiary of the bonus for world records since she has managed to break records in the 1500m, 5000m, and the mile in 2023.

 

Her partnership with Nike has also had a major impact on her financial success. Her Olympic success and record-breaking performances also saw Kipyegon receive bonuses from the government.

 

5) Sha’Carri Richardson – $4 million

Top 5 Highest Paid Athletes In The World 2025

 

As of March 2025, Sha’Carri Richardson’s Net Worth is estimated to be around $4 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.

 

Richardson is among the most talented sprinters in the world and that has earned her a place among the greats. Such honours come with a level of pride and marketability and one thing is for sure, Sha’Carri Richardson has managed to capitalize on that to the fullest.

 

Her talent on the track has also earned her lucrative prize money, from clinching wins at the World Championships, Olympic Games and Diamond League meetings. She has signed deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, Sprite, and Mielle Organics among other brands.

 

Track and field stars continue to elevate the sport with their explosive performances and make earnings from prize money and endorsement deals. These top five stars have not only dominated the track but have also leveraged their brand power to become some of the richest athletes in the sport.

 

 

 

Track athlete Mario Palencia was disqualified from the Spanish Under-20 Championship for a mindless shove on a competitor.

 

The 1500 metre race was coming to its conclusion with Guillermo Sanchez raising his arms as he claimed victory, but attention quickly went elsewhere.

 

 

Daniel Lopez appeared to cut across Palencia

Daniel Lopez appeared to cut across PalenciaCredit: AS

And Palencia responded disgracefully

And Palencia responded disgracefullyCredit: AS

As Palencia pulled out of lane one to overtake second placed Daniel Lopez, his competitor also moved across into the second lane.

 

In response Palencia gave Lopez an almighty shove over the line in shock scenes.

 

 

Lopez still finished ahead, but looked in pain on the surface in Salamanca, Madrid, as he and Palencia exchanged words and raised their arms in each other’s direction.

 

Palencia was then given a red card and disqualified from the event.

 

AS claim that it wasn’t just the finish line fracas that caused friction, but the pair clashed throughout the race before tensions culminated at the line.

 

 

The incident is the second of such nature in just three days, although the earlier event in Virginia was far more shocking.

 

Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, was running the second leg of a 4x200m relay final when an opponent struck her on the head with a baton.

 

 

Tucker hit the ground and required treatment for a concussion and possible skull fracture.

 

Speaking to the media, she later said: “I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock.

 

“I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’ t believe it happened.”

 

The pair gesticulated at each other after the line

The pair gesticulated at each other after the lineCredit: AS

A similar, but certainly worse, incident occurred in the US a few days earlier

A similar, but certainly worse, incident occurred in the US a few days earlierCredit: ABC

 

The competitor from IC Norcom was soon disqualified from the event and Tucker’s parents claim she showed no remorse.

 

“They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologised or came to check on her,” Tamarro Tucker said.

 

“Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her.”

 

 

 

 

Usain Bolt lived up to his relaxed reputation on the Ready Set Go podcast

Usain Bolt remained his usual laid-back self after finally receiving an overdue apology from longtime rival Justin Gatlin. The iconic Jamaican sprinter, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist who claimed three consecutive 100m titles, shared back in October that Gatlin had once spat across his lane before a 2011 race – an apparent attempt to rattle him.

 

It was their first-ever head-to-head clash, and while Bolt insists he wasn’t bothered at the time, the moment stayed with him. During an appearance on the Ready Set Go podcast, hosted by Gatlin and former Olympian Rodney Green, Bolt decided to revisit the infamous incident. This led to a sincere apology from Gatlin – though Bolt made it clear he never needed one.

 

 

 

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“You know when you warm up and you’re running out of your blocks? I was walking back and he was walking towards me, and he kind of spat across the lane in front of me,” Bolt, now 38, recalled with a grin. “I laughed, because I knew what he was trying to do, but for me, it doesn’t matter.

 

“I understood why. Remember, Justin was in the era of Maurice Green and all these guys. That’s what he is used to. That’s the mentality… For me, it was funny. Because I understood in track and field how it is. I wasn’t worried… I looked up and I smiled because I understood he was just trying to intimidate me, but I wasn’t worried.”

 

Gatlin denied any deliberate disrespect but still took the opportunity to make amends. “I apologise,” the American said, drawing laughter from Bolt. “The thing is, for me, I’m so focused. I don’t even think in that moment I was thinking about doing those little petty trickery things, you know what I’m saying? I’m thinking, I got allergies.

 

 

Justin Gatlin was all too happy to apologis to Bolt (Image: Gatlin on the Ready Set Go podcast)

“I’m constantly trying to get my mouth clear so I can go run with my sinuses. It was never an ‘F Usain Bolt’ sort of thing. It was the fact I think I was just trying to focus on getting ready for my race. But I can say now that I helped contribute to the greatness [of Bolt],” he joked.

 

“When I saw it in the documentary, everybody always came back to me and said, how dare you do that to him, I’m like bro, I didn’t do anything,” he added, to which Bolt responded with a smile: “Relax people, relax.”

 

A five-time Olympic medalist, Gatlin won 100m gold at the 2004 Athens Games before serving a four-year doping suspension in 2006 – watching from the sidelines as Bolt took over at Beijing 2008. Their Olympic rivalry officially began in London 2012, where Bolt defended his title and Gatlin settled for bronze.

 

 

Bolt and Gatlin are two of the most successful sprinters of all time

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Four years later in Rio, Bolt triumphed once more, while Gatlin claimed silver. Despite the frosty start to their relationship, the duo, who will be remembered as two of the sport’s greatest sprinters, have always been bound by mutual respect.

 

 

 

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“Let me say something, bro,” Bolt told Gatlin. “I say this many times; if you see my interviews, I always say this: you’re one of the greatest people I have ever competed with. My coach told me to listen, one guy is going to show up, and it’s going to be Justin. That’s the respect my coach has for you.”

 

After securing bronze at the 2017 World Championships in his final 100m race – where Gatlin took gold – Bolt called time on his legendary career. However, he teased a possible return for a special All-Star event alongside other retired athletes, including his old rival.

 

“I’m ready, just for the fun of it. I’m ready, let’s go. It’ll be fun,” Bolt told Green and Gatlin. When asked if he’d be willing to renew his rivalry, he quickly shut it down: “Nah man, Justin, him? He’s in too good of a shape,” he said. “Bro I see him doing starts all the time. I asked him, I text him, ‘Bro, why are you in such good shape?’”

 

GB win three silvers on final day of European Indoors

 

Ingebrigtsen secures 3,000m gold while GB’s Mills takes silver

 

Great Britain won three silvers on the final day of the European Athletics Indoor Championships to finish with seven medals.

 

Melissa Courtney-Bryant had to settle for second place in the women’s 3,000m after being pipped on the line by Ireland’s Sarah Healy.

 

George Mills was second in the men’s 3,000m behind Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who took his tally of European indoor golds to a record-equalling seven with a third consecutive 1500m and 3,000m double.

 

GB were also runners-up in the women’s 4x400m relay, meaning the squad finished eighth in the medal table with one gold, three silvers and three bronze medals in Apeldoorn.

 

Lina Nielsen, Hannah Kelly, Emily Newnham and Amber Anning ran a national record 3:24.89 to take silver behind hosts the Netherlands in what was the final event of the championships.

 

Jade O’Dowda narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the women’s pentathlon after being edged out by Ireland’s Kate O’Connor in the final event, the 800m.

 

O’Dowda sat third in the standings after four of the five events, having recorded personal bests in the 60m, high jump and shot put.

 

But O’Connor surged to victory in the 800m to finish 30 points ahead of O’Dowda, who secured a personal best score of 4,751 points.

 

Scott Lincoln missed out on a podium finish by just two centimetres in the men’s shot put, with Romania’s Andrei Toader taking gold ahead of Sweden’s Wictor Petersson and the Czech Republic’s Tomas Stanek.

 

 

Norwegian wins his third straight European Indoor 1500m title, but women’s favourite fades to fourth as Revée Walcott-Nolan grabs first major medal of her career

While one 1500m final followed the expected script under the Friday night lights at the Omnisport Arena in Apeldoorn – with Jakob Ingebrigtsen winning his third consecutive European Indoor title in the men’s event – the women’s showpiece produced a shock as firm race favourite Georgia Hunter Bell finished out of the medals entirely.

 

The scene had been set for the Briton to win her first major title since making a fairytale return to athletics that brought European silver, Olympic bronze and a British record last year.

 

The pain of finishing one step away from the podium at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow 12 months ago had helped spur her towards that summer success and she appeared in prime position to add to her medal collection in the Netherlands.

 

Having moved to the front around the 500m mark, Hunter Bell looked in complete control of her destiny, shadowed by French athlete Agathe Guillemot and her fellow Briton, Revée Walcott-Nolan.

 

Midway through the final bend, however, the leader stuttered and her closing speed deserted her completely, with European bronze medallist Guillemot surging through to win in 4:07.23. Portuguese athlete Salomé Afonso grabbed silver in 4:07.66, while Walcott-Nolan just edged out her team-mate on the line in 4:08.45, the same time recorded by Hunter Bell.

 

 

Georgia Hunter Bell and Revée Walcott-Nolan (Getty)

 

“I don’t really know what happened,” said Hunter Bell. “I thought I would win today. I really locked up there at the end and I am not sure what happened there. I executed the whole plan until the last bit.

 

“I have had an ear infection and I can’t hear out of my left ear currently, but I felt physically okay. I wasn’t expecting that today and I am really gutted. Last year when I came fourth at the World Indoors that really fuelled me for the summer so, when I am done being sad about this, maybe I can take some positives from it. I am going to let myself be sad for tonight.”

 

 

Walcott-Nolan found herself at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, the two-time Olympian who is part of the On Athletics Club Europe alongside George Mills winning the first major medal of her career one day after celebrating her 30th birthday.

 

“I am so happy!” she beamed. “Obviously silver or gold would have been nicer, but to come away with a bronze today from a couple of weeks ago when I didn’t think I would be racing indoors at all, I am really proud of myself.

 

“My coach told me to get up the front in the top two, and stay there, so that is what I was trying to do for the whole race: stick to the plan for as long as I can. If I die, I die, but at least I know I have given it a go, and it paid off.

 

“The atmosphere is so good. It was really pushing me that last 100m when my legs were going away from me; it kept me going. I will be celebrating with my friends for my birthday and then this. It means a lot.”

 

 

There was barely any time for Ingebrigtsen to celebrate yet another victory, given that he will be back in action tomorrow (Saturday) to begin the defence of his 3000m title, but he achieved the first part of his double with the minimum of fuss.

 

The Norwegian applied his traditional tactics of keeping right at the back of the field in the early stages, making the rest of his competitors wait to try and combat his inevitable surge to the front. That eventually came at the 700m mark and caused a mass reaction to the field behind. Ingebrigtsen never relinquished the lead and a closing 400m of 53.4 helped him hit the line in 3:36.56.

 

Though Frenchman Azeddine Habz and Portuguese Isaac Nader did try to make him work for it, they had to settle for silver and bronze in 3:36.92 and 3:37.10 respectively. Britain’s Neil Gourley, a silver medallist at these championships two years ago, admitted to having placed himself badly when Ingebrigtsen worked his way through and finished fourth in 3:38.29.

 

 

The other two track finals of the night came in the 60m hurdles and the women’s showdown produced one of the finest performances of the championships so far. It took a European record of 7.67, also a world lead, from Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji as she edged out Dutch star Nadine Visser’s 7.72 and the bronze medal run of 7.83 from Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska to take the first senior gold of her career.

 

 

The top men’s prize went to Jakub Szymanski of Poland in 7.43 as held the French duo of Wilhem Belocian (7.45) and Just Kwaou-Mathey (7.50) at bay.

 

Lieke Klaver was the centre of the crowd’s attention during the women’s 400m semi-finals. Following the morning disqualification of British medal contender Amber Anning, and defending champion Femke Bol’s decision only to compete in the relays, the path to gold has become clearer for the Dutch world indoor silver medallist.

 

 

She looks primed to seize her chance, clocking 51.15 to win the second semi-final and qualify fastest for the final, with Spain’s Paula Sevilla running 51.23 to win the first race. With Anning having run 51.01 in her heat, she will be left wondering what might have been.

 

Hungary’s Attila Molnar was the fastest qualifier for the men’s 400m final, winning the opening semi-final in 45.48 from the PB 45.99 of Frenchman Jimy Soudril. Poland’s Maksymilian Szwed won the second semi-final in 45.78 from Spain’s Iñaki Cañal (46.24).

 

 

 

In the field events, Bozhidar Sarâboyukov took advantage of defending champion Miltiadis Tentoglou’s absence to win the men’s long jump title in dramatic fashion.

 

The Bulgarian produced a closing leap of 8.13m that was enough to beat the fifth-round effort of Italian European silver medallist Mattia Furlani by a single centimetre. Spaniard Lester Lescay also reached 8.12m, in the second round, but finished third due to his poorer series.

 

The first gold medal of the evening went to Ana Peleteiro-Compaoré of Spain in the women’s triple jump, the European champion outdoors adding the indoor title to her CV and producing a European lead of 14.37m in round five to take victory. Romania’s Diana Ana Maria Ion secured silver with a final-round 14.31m, while Finland’s Senni Salminen snatched bronze with her last effort, reaching 13.99m.

 

 

In the men’s heptathlon, new European record-holder Sander Skotheim surged into the lead at the end of day one thanks largely to his high jump clearance of 2.19m, a championship best in the heptathlon. That put him on 3689 points, 42 ahead of previous leader Simon Ehammer. German Till Steinforth sits third on 3560.

 

Skotheim will have his sights trained on that continental mark of 6484 he set barely a fortnight ago but it won’t have escaped his attention that he is 62 points ahead of the Ashton Eaton’s total at the same stage when the American set the world record of 6645 in 2012.

 

There were no dramas for the main contenders during men’s pole vault qualifying for a final that will feature the 38-year-old former world record-holder who progressed with a clearance of 5.65m.

 

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Mawdsley had been expected to challenge for a place in the 400m final after turning in a magnificent leg in Thursday night’s mixed 4x400m final.

Sarah Lavin books place in final as Sharlene Mawdsley forced to withdraw from European Indoor Championships

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Ireland’s Sarah Lavin make it through to the final. Pic:©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025 – 13:30

Cathal Dennehy

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It wasn’t perfect, but for Sarah Lavin it was enough – the Limerick athlete producing another crisp display to book her place in tonight’s 60m hurdles final at the European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands, finishing second in her semi-final in 7.94 seconds.

 

Lavin was the last of the Irish in action during the morning session today and the Emerald AC athlete got off to a strong start, going shoulder to shoulder over the opening barriers with Polish star Pia Skrzyszowska, who took victory in 7.84. Lavin came home second in 7.94, close to her best of 7.90, to advance to a fourth straight major indoor final.

 

“We have a spot,” said Lavin, who noted the advantage gained from her strong start had been conceded between hurdles one and two.

 

“Later on, it’s going to be a blanket finish and you’ve got to get your dip right and all those things.”

 

She goes into tonight’s final, at 8.43pm Irish time, as the fourth quickest qualifier and with Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji clocking 7.82 in the second semi-final and Dutch star Nadine Visser second in 7.85, it will likely take a PB for Lavin to get on the podium. However, that’s not beyond her.

 

Meanwhile, there was heartbreak in Apeldoorn for Sharlene Mawdsley, the Newport sprinter forced to withdraw from this morning’s 400m heats after suffering a slight injury in her hamstring during the warm-up.

 

Mawdsley had been expected to challenge for a place in the 400m final after turning in a magnificent leg in last night’s mixed 4x400m final, splitting the fastest female time in the race of 49.93 seconds to carry Ireland to fifth.

 

But the late injury meant she was a no-show for this morning’s heats and is now also ruled out for the women’s 4x400m on Sunday.

 

“I’m devastated after my run in yesterday’s relay splitting a 49.9 but I’ll be back for outdoors,” she posted on Instagram.

 

OUT: Sharlene Mawdsley was forced to withdraw from the individual 400m at the European Indoor Championships after suffering a slight injury in her hamstring during the warm-up. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

OUT: Sharlene Mawdsley was forced to withdraw from the individual 400m at the European Indoor Championships after suffering a slight injury in her hamstring during the warm-up. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

She told RTÉ her hamstring “kept getting worse and worse” during her warmup.

 

“I really wanted to go out and run and after last night I had so much confidence. It’s not often I’d back myself to make the final and I really believed I could. It’s hard. My hamstring was a bit tight yesterday and I had Physio just before the call room and it settled it.

 

“This morning, I felt good but it just persisted and if I went on the track, it would have got worse and worse. I didn’t want to tear it completely.”

 

Rachel McCann had a superb run in her 400m heat, despite a difficult draw on the inside lane. She clocked a PB of 53.16 to finish fourth, which was not enough to advance. Lauren Cadden had a rough experience in the 400m heats, coming home fifth in a sub-par 56.57.

 

“I’m so embarrassed, I’m not even going to try sugarcoat that,” said Cadden.

 

“That was my worst performance to date on the biggest stage. I know I’m better than that. I don’t know if it was mentally, it just got away from me. I have no positives to take from that.”

 

There was better news for Mark English, who was impressive when finishing second in his 800m heat in 1:46.42, the Donegal man imposing himself on the race from the outset and showing brilliant composure on the final bend to wait for a gap on the inside, the four-time European medallist moving from fourth to second to secure an automatic spot in the semi-finals.

 

“It was a messy enough race,” said English.

 

“It could have went any way. I was quite nervous going into the race but thankfully I came through. It was a bit of luck that the (gap) opened up. I did think before the last bend I pushed the British guy out wide and I knew he was going to come strong, but maybe their inexperience didn’t allow them to navigate that last lap as they might have wanted to, thankfully I’ve got plenty of experience over the years so I was able to manage that.”

 

His teammate Cian McPhillips endured a rough start to his campaign, the Longford athlete shunted to the back of the field with a lap to run in his 800m heat and then falling over a rival who hit the track in front of him on the back straight.

 

As the fall was not his fault, and because McPhillips completed the race in 1:57.35, his appeal for reinstatement was successful and he will take his place in the semi-finals tomorrow.

 

“The race was a bit messy but that’s to be expected,” said McPhillips.

 

“On the last lap the Polish guy fell in front of me and there was nothing I could do. I moved out to try get up on the leader’s shoulder but before I could make that move it all came apart. These things happen in indoor 800s – it’s to be expected but you’ve got to roll with it and hope it works out in the end.”

 

 

 

 

 

Bolt, the fastest man alive, holds the record for the fastest time in both the 100m and 200m events and is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist.

 

Diagnosed with scoliosis as a youngster, 2017 article in the New York Times suggested the condition could potentially have had a positive impact on Bolt and helped him become the speed demon we all know.

 

 

 

He made his Olympics debut back in 2008 at the Games in Beijing, going in as a world record holder over 100m.

 

But the Jamaican sensation proceeded to break a further two world records – one being his own in the 100m and adding the 200m event – while claiming a gold medal in each.

 

In the 100m, he clocked in at a whopping 9.69 seconds and followed it up by running the 200m in 19.30 seconds – emulating Carl Lewis’ double at the 1984 Olympics and breaking Michael Johnson’s world record.

 

 

 

He did so all at the age of 21 but incredibly, Bolt was fueled by McDonald’s chicken nuggets throughout the event – viewing them as the only food he could trust after he took a bad turn having eaten a local chinese meal beforehand.

 

Writing in his autobiography ‘The Fastest Man Alive’, Bolt wrote: “Honestly, I ate nothing else in all my time out in China except chicken nuggets.

 

“They were the only food I could properly trust which wouldn’t affect my stomach. On arriving at the [pre-Olympic] training camp I’d tried a local Chinese meal, which wasn’t like the ones we we eat in the West, and my body didn’t react well.”

 

Usain Bolt won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. Image: Getty

Usain Bolt won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. Image: Getty

 

 

Bolt added: “So, knowing I could rely on nuggets, I made up my mind that was all I would eat. And eat them I did, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, washed down with bottled water.”

 

Bolt would go on to return to Beijing in 2015 for the World Championships, collecting another three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

 

This time however, he experimented a bit more with the local cuisine and enjoyed it a later more.

 

Recalling in another autobiography called ‘Faster than Lightning’, Bolt said: “Man, I should have gotten a gold medal for all that chowing down.

 

 

 

“They really are providing a lot better food here than in 2008, so no chicken nuggets for me this year.”

 

Bolt’s dream 100m race

Bolt has raced against an elite list of opponents over the years and in a recent appearance on the Ready Set Go podcast with Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green, he put together his dream lineup – which included current sprint king Noah Lyles for one specific reason.

 

“Me, you (Justin Gatlin), Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake,” Bolt said.

 

 

 

“I would definitely like to compete against Maurice Green, Ben Johnson. Let’s give Noah the spot just because I would love to race against him.”

 

Bahamian sprinter Rodney Green wondered if Lewis was in with a shout, though Bolt quickly responded: “Nah”.

 

 

 

Usain Bolt has recalled how Justin Gatlin inadvertently helped him to seal his sporting immortality at the Rio Olympics.

 

The fastest man alive cemented his legendary status at the 2016 Games, becoming the first athlete to ever win gold in the 100 metres and 200m at three consecutive Olympics.

 

 

Bolt defended his titles in Rio after previously completing the sprint double at both London 2012 and Beijing 2008

Bolt defended his titles in Rio after previously completing the sprint double at both London 2012 and Beijing 2008

Hot on Bolt’s heels in the first of his sprint double was long-time rival Gatlin, who clinched silver in the 100m.

 

And the Jamaican star has revealed his success was fuelled by a desire to silence the American, who had vowed to steal back his crown in an interview on US television earlier that year.

 

Speaking to TMZ Sports, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion pledged: “I’m going to win. We are bringing it [gold] back to the USA.

 

 

“We are gonna bring it back to the USA, to LA, to New York. We are going on a tour around the country with it around my neck like a gold chain.”

 

This was certainly enough to ignite a fire in Bolt, who has since labelled Gatlin’s rallying cry the ‘best thing’ to happen to him.

 

 

Appearing on the Ready Set Go podcast alongside his old adversary, the Olympics legend admitted this gave him a new drive after struggling for motivation ahead of the Rio Games.

 

Bolt told Gatlin: “I’m telling you, the best thing that happened to me is the day you went on that interview.

 

 

“Somebody sent it to me, I’ll never forget and the guy was like: ‘Come on, say it, what are you going to do?’

 

“And you were like: ‘Yo, I’m going to win this gold medal, come back with it around my neck’.”

 

Bolt beat Gatlin by just 0.08 seconds in the 100m final showdown in Rio

Bolt beat Gatlin by just 0.08 seconds in the 100m final showdown in RioCredit:

Gatlin claimed his fifth and final Olympic medal with his silver at the 2016 Games

Gatlin claimed his fifth and final Olympic medal with his silver at the 2016 GamesCredit:

 

Both former sprinters laughed before Bolt admitted: “You don’t know the motivation that gave me!”

 

He then suggested there could have been a different outcome in his final Olympic campaign had it not been for Gatlin.

 

The athletics great explained: “That whole season I was tired because I’ve been doing this for a while and I’ve been winning, I didn’t have the motivation.

 

“But the moment I saw that video I was like: ‘Alright, let’s go!’

 

“I think maybe if I didn’t get that video you would have gotten me that year.”

 

 

Gatlin’s words did just enough to see Bolt cross the line first in Rio, clocking a time of 9.81 seconds, just ahead of the US star’s 9.89 effort.

 

Despite never getting the better of Bolt on the Olympic stage, Gatlin was a regular on the podium alongside the Jamaican at major events after his comeback from a four-year doping ban in 2010.

 

Bolt recalled being spurred on by Gatlin’s bold prediction in 2016

Bolt recalled being spurred on by Gatlin’s bold prediction in 2016Credit:

Gatlin laughed as the Jamaican revealed the impact of his interview

Gatlin laughed as the Jamaican revealed the impact of his interviewCredit:

And the Jamaican hailed his rival’s consistency for getting the best out of him, with the five-time Games medallist also clinching bronze behind him in the 100m at London 2012.

 

Speaking later in the episode, he said of Gatlin’s return: “So he’s back now and he’s like: ‘I’m ready to go, I’m ready to roll!’

 

“I was excited because my coach told me from the start: ‘This guy’s going to show up, so be ready.’

 

“So I was excited to compete. And he kept it [up], for like six years we were doing this.

 

 

“It was just every year, every year, there was no let up. I couldn’t miss a day. So for me it was one of the best times and I really enjoyed it.”

 

Bolt continued: “I mean Tyson [Gay] was [my main rival] two years, Asafa [Powell] was one year, [Yohan] Blake was one year.

 

“But me and Justin had been going at it for years, so for me it was great to have a competitor that you can compete [with] and know it’s going to keep you on top of your game.”