Retired sprint legend Usain Bolt admits he now gets winded climbing stairs, but remains proud of his lasting athletics benchmarks.
TOKYO: Once hailed as the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt is confronting a more human pace of life. Speaking at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the eight-time Olympic champion revealed that his fitness has declined since retirement, joking that even climbing stairs now leaves him short of breath.
Usain Bolt admits fitness struggles as he reflects on sprinting legacy, citing that gym workouts no longer match the endurance he once built during his record-breaking career. “I think now that I’ve been out for a while, I have to actually start running again. I’ll probably have to do laps just to get my breathing right,” Bolt told The Guardian.
Since hanging up his spikes in 2017, Bolt has battled scoliosis and a ruptured Achilles, injuries that have eroded the base of fitness that powered him through three Olympic Games. Still, his trademark confidence endures. Asked why today’s sprinters haven’t matched his generation despite advancements in spikes and track technology, Bolt quipped: “You want the real answer? We’re just more talented.”
Despite the health setbacks, Bolt said he is proud of the benchmarks he set. His world records in the 100m (9.58 seconds), 200m (19.19 seconds), and 4x100m relay (36.84 seconds) remain untouched. “When I was competing, I was working to break the benchmark. Now that I’ve retired, it’s a great feeling to know that I am the benchmark,” he said.
Usain Bolt admits fitness struggles as he reflects on sprinting legacy, but continues to embrace his place as a sporting icon who inspired a generation of athletes and fans around the world.
-Agencies
