When Jamaican sprinter Warren Weir informed Usain Bolt about his career switch, the Olympic legend was visibly surprised.
Weir had solidified his place in Jamaican athletic history at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing behind Bolt and Yohan Blake in the 200m final to claim bronze. His time of 19.84 seconds was a personal best, and the race marked the first time Jamaica swept the podium in a men’s event.
However, after sustaining a hamstring injury at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Weir realized his time on the track was coming to an end. Speaking to the ‘Jamaican Gleaner’ that year, the then-28-year-old admitted he was struggling to compete with younger athletes. He acknowledged the importance of knowing when to step away, stating that he wanted to preserve his legacy rather than continue losing to the rising generation.
With retirement from sprinting on the horizon, Weir decided to transition to rugby sevens a version of the sport that emphasizes speed rather than physicality. Interestingly, it was the Jamaican rugby sevens team that approached him about joining, and Weir was eager to take on the challenge.
In an interview with the ‘Olympics Channel’, he shared Bolt’s humorous reaction to the news. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist was taken aback, jokingly asking,
“Yo, bro, are you joking? You’re so slim!”
Weir made his rugby sevens debut just three months later, representing Jamaica at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, where the team, known as the ‘Crocs’, secured bronze by defeating Trinidad and Tobago 26-5. His ultimate goal, however, was to help Jamaica qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Unfortunately, the team struggled in the final qualification tournament, finishing last in their pool after heavy defeats to France, Hong Kong, and Chile.
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