Usain Bolt has revealed that political factors prevented him from competing at the 2003 World Championships, despite being fully prepared for the event.
The Jamaican sprinting prodigy had dominated the Jamaican National Championships just months earlier, clocking a blazing 200m time of 20.28 seconds and matching the world junior record. His exclusion from the competition was widely debated, given his obvious potential.
Speaking on the ‘Meet the Mitchells’ podcast, Bolt shared details about his experience:
“A lot of people don’t even know that I was at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in France. I was there when Asafa Powell false-started alongside Jon Drummond, who lay down on the track.”
He explained that despite meeting the necessary qualifying standards, he was ultimately kept from competing due to internal politics within the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
“I was supposed to run, but it was a long story. There was a lot of politics involved because I was young and new. I had won the trials and met all the required times, yet when the 4×100 meter event came, I wasn’t allowed to run. But at the time, I was a junior and didn’t understand much.”
Bolt later joined renowned coach Glen Mills two years after the incident, which marked a turning point in his career.
Reflecting on his early talent, he admitted, “As a junior, I was naturally gifted with just minimal training. From as young as three or four, I was ahead of my peers. By 16 or 17, I was already winning senior trials. It felt easy, like this was my destiny.”
Bolt Believes He Could Have Broken His Own Record Again
Bolt’s dominance in sprinting remains unmatched, with his 100m world record of 9.58 seconds set at the 2009 World Championships still standing after 15 years. He also set the 200m record just days later and helped break the 4x100m relay record at the 2012 London Olympics.
However, Bolt recently told ‘The Fix’ podcast that he believes he could have gone even faster in 2011 if not for injuries.
“If I hadn’t gotten injured that season, I would have broken the record again. That year, I was in top form, and my coach was excited. It was the first time I heard him say we were going to race and break the world record.”
As for whether his records will stand the test of time, Bolt acknowledged that anything is possible, particularly with rising stars like Noah Lyles aiming to surpass his achievements.
“Track and field is evolving fast with new technology like spikes, and everything is changing. Breaking records takes work, but records are made to be broken.”
Bolt also expressed confidence in fellow Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville, believing he has the potential to restore Jamaica’s dominance in sprinting.
“Oblique can do it. If he stays fit throughout the season and gets everything right, I believe he has what it takes.”
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