Usain Bolt Gets Justice After 16 Years As Guinness World Records Makes Huge Announcement Sprint legend Usain Bolt was crowned a Guinness World Records ICON in a surprise ceremony in Manchester, 16 years after his record-shattering 9.58-second 100m in 2009. Presented with his certificate by Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday, the eight-time Olympic champion was honored for redefining human speed and inspiring millions…

Usain Bolt Gets Justice After 16 Years As Guinness World Records Makes Huge Announcement

Sprint legend Usain Bolt was crowned a Guinness World Records ICON in a surprise ceremony in Manchester, 16 years after his record-shattering 9.58-second 100m in 2009. Presented with his certificate by Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday, the eight-time Olympic champion was honored for redefining human speed and inspiring millions…

 

 

Manchester, UK — Sprinting legend Usain Bolt has finally received a long-overdue recognition that cements his place in the annals of history. In a surprise ceremony held in Manchester, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist was crowned a Guinness World Records ICON, 16 years after his jaw-dropping 9.58-second run in the 100 meters stunned the world and redefined the limits of human speed.

Bolt, now 38, was presented with the honorary certificate by Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday during the event, as part of the organization’s lead-up to its 70th anniversary celebrations. The moment was both emotional and triumphant for fans of the Jamaican sprinter, who has long been regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history, yet had not previously been given this specific ICON designation by Guinness.

“I’m happy to be an icon,” Bolt said during the ceremony. “All the hard work, all the sacrifices—it’s great to know it’s still being recognized after all these years.”

Bolt’s sprinting achievements are the stuff of legend. In August 2009, at the World Championships in Berlin, he set the still-unbroken 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds, followed just days later by a 19.19-second finish in the 200 meters—another record that stands untouched. These times not only shattered previous marks but also redefined what was considered physically possible in track and field.

But Usain Bolt’s accolades go far beyond just his iconic sprinting records. He has also been recognized as the youngest male athlete to win a world junior title, doing so at just 15 years old in 2002. Over the course of his career, Bolt won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award six times and inspired a generation of athletes with his charisma, showmanship, and humility.

Craig Glenday called Bolt’s influence “immeasurable,” stating, “Usain Bolt isn’t just a record-breaker. He’s a record-destroyer. His achievements transcend sport. They’re part of global culture. This ICON award is the highest honor we can give, and no one is more deserving than Bolt.”

Bolt’s elevation to ICON status is part of a broader initiative by Guinness World Records to honor individuals whose impact has endured through time and inspired people far beyond their original feats. Past recipients include figures in music, science, and humanitarian work, but Bolt becomes one of the few athletes to receive this elite recognition.

As Guinness World Records approaches its 70th anniversary, Bolt’s new honor serves as a fitting reminder of the rare moments in sport that transcend competition and become part of collective memory. For many, the announcement feels like long-overdue justice.

“It’s always been about leaving a legacy,” Bolt added. “Records may be broken one day, but being remembered as an icon—that’s something special.”

With this ICON status, Usain Bolt’s legacy is not just in the record books, but carved into history itself.