Usain Bolt does not think any of the modern generation of sprinters, including Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville and Noah Lyles have what it takes to ever smash his world records.

Usain Bolt does not think any of the modern generation of sprinters, including Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville and Noah Lyles have what it takes to ever smash his world records.

 

Bolt has expressed skepticism about the current generation of elite sprinters, including Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, and Noah Lyles, suggesting that none have yet demonstrated the level of dominance, consistency, or raw speed required to break his long-standing world records in the 100m and 200m.

Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time, set the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds and the 200m at 19.19 seconds during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin—records that still stand unchallenged more than a decade later. Despite a wave of emerging talent and heightened competition in recent years, Bolt believes his times remain safely out of reach.

In recent interviews, Bolt acknowledged the potential of the current crop, including Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, and American sprinter Noah Lyles, but remains unconvinced that any of them possess the unique combination of attributes that propelled him to the top of the sport.

“They’re good, they’re talented, but I haven’t seen anyone who’s close to what I was doing at my peak,” Bolt said. “Running fast once or twice isn’t enough. It’s about doing it consistently, under pressure, at championships, in different conditions. That’s what makes the difference.”

Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion over 200m, has come closest to Bolt’s legacy, having clocked a personal best of 19.31 seconds and frequently speaking about his ambition to challenge the 19.19 mark. However, Bolt noted that closing that gap is more difficult than it seems on paper. “People don’t understand how hard it is to drop even a tenth of a second at that level,” he added. “From 19.3 to 19.1, that’s a mountain.”

As for Jamaica’s new stars, Kishane Thompson recently turned heads with a sub-9.8 run, and Oblique Seville has consistently threatened to break into the 9.7 range. Yet Bolt argues that these performances still lack the extraordinary consistency he brought to the track. “They show flashes, but the mental toughness and the ability to perform on the biggest stage year after year—that’s what I’m not seeing yet.”

Bolt also alluded to the psychological edge he brought to sprinting during his reign. “When I stepped on the track, people knew something special could happen. That kind of aura—it’s rare. I’m waiting to see someone bring that back to the sport.”

While Bolt’s comments may come across as dismissive, they reflect the high standards he set during his career. His remarks are likely to fuel motivation among younger sprinters, especially those determined to etch their names in history.

Until someone gets closer to his record-breaking times—not just once, but consistently—Bolt’s skepticism will likely remain. And unless a new face emerges with not just speed, but the charisma and dominance that defined Bolt’s era, his records may well stand for years to come.