Usain Bolt Admits He’s Still ‘Very Sad’ He Never Got to Race World Record Holder in His Prime…

Usain Bolt Admits He’s Still ‘Very Sad’ He Never Got to Race World Record Holder in His Prime…

 

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has revealed that one of his lingering regrets from his illustrious sprinting career is never having had the opportunity to race against one of the sport’s greatest legends—American sprinter Michael Johnson—while the latter was still in his prime. In a candid interview, the Jamaican sprint icon admitted he’s still “very sad” that fans were denied a generational showdown between two of the fastest men in history.

“Michael Johnson was one of the guys I really looked up to growing up,” Bolt said. “He changed the game—his style, his dominance, the way he ran the 200m and 400m. To this day, I still think about what it would’ve been like to race him when he was at his best.”

Michael Johnson, the American sprinter known for his upright running style and gold shoes, set world records in both the 200m and 400m. His 19.32 seconds in the 200m at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics stood for 12 years before Bolt shattered it in 2008 with a time of 19.30 seconds—and then lowered it further to 19.19 in 2009, a record that still stands. Johnson’s 400m world record of 43.18 seconds also remained untouched until Wayde van Niekerk broke it in 2016.

Bolt, who focused mainly on the 100m and 200m, never competed seriously in the 400m at a global championship, though he occasionally ran the distance in training and early-season events. Johnson, on the other hand, was a 200m and 400m specialist, rarely contesting the 100m. Their paths never crossed in competition due to the generational gap—Johnson retired in 2001, just as Bolt was beginning his rise as a junior athlete.

“It would’ve been a dream race,” Bolt added. “He was strong at the end of races, and I was known for my speed and acceleration. It would’ve been a true clash of styles. I think the world would’ve loved to see that.”

Though both men have immense respect for each other, they’ve exchanged good-natured banter over the years about who might have come out on top had they raced at their peak. Johnson once said that while Bolt had unmatched raw speed, his own strength over longer distances would’ve made for a close and thrilling battle in the 200m.

Bolt’s admission comes as he continues to reflect on his career post-retirement. Since hanging up his spikes in 2017, he has remained a global ambassador for athletics and an inspiration for young sprinters. Yet, despite his unmatched legacy—including world records in the 100m and 200m and three Olympic golds in each—he acknowledges that some “what ifs” still linger.

“I achieved everything I wanted, but every athlete has one or two things they wish they could’ve done,” Bolt said. “Racing Michael in his prime is definitely one of mine.”

While the world will never witness the ultimate sprint duel between Bolt and Johnson, the admiration between the two champions remains mutual—and their legacies continue to define the golden eras of track and field.