Usain Bolt Explains Pressure to Retire in 2017 | Is There a Perfect Time to End Your Career?

[@Dynamics416]

Usain should've retired and ended his career after Rio 2016. But I understand why he returned the following year. London (and the U.K. in general) is the best place when it comes to T&F. Any major championships held there is always sold-out (day and evening sessions), the crowd is passionate. London 2012 definitely left a lasting impact as far as attendance so I definitely understand why UB came back.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Yea and I think even though it didnt end how he wanted it to, his legacy is not tarnished in any way. I appreciate Bolt showing up and giving the fans what they want even if he wanted to retire a bit earlier and after losing a friend and not being in good health.

[@Dynamics416]

@@TheFinalLeg Yup. His legacy isn't tarnished at all. I forgot about 2017 honestly. It wasn't a great season, or memorable Worlds.

[@CarlFredrik-uo1cu]

I wonder when we'll see the next sub-9:70 race. It's a tall order, and it really cements the greatness of Usain Bolt. (First ever sub-9.70 race was Bolt in Beijing 2008, the last time it happened was when Blake ran 9.69 in Lausanne 2012 (a couple of weeks after Bolt's 9.63 in London))

[@EarlMcDowellJr]

I think Tebogo has a good shot at it.

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

If you want to be technical. The last time someone ran sub 9.7 was back in 2017 when Andre closed 9.69 with a +4.0 m/s wind.

[@brentontaylor4878]

​@@khumokwezimashapa2245 that doesn't count

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

@@brentontaylor4878 Ye I know, but the IAAF still recognizes the performce just under a different category. Even when I ask myself the same question I totally ignore the wind aided races like Obedele's 9.69. Can't remember the wind speed for that one, but it was technically the first sub 9.7, but Bolt's was the first true 9.6 race. You get me?

[@georgec2894]

@@khumokwezimashapa2245+5.9 m/s wind. I see that wind adjusting calculators convert that to 9.82 in still conditions and 9.74 with +2.0 m/s wind. If accurate, that would mean Thompson could have taken the world record. That performance was at attitude though…

[@seensay2132]

Aw yeah bro, that Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor in the background 💯💯🫡

[@TheFinalLeg]

My favorite of his. Classic album IMO

[@CarlFredrik-uo1cu]

Bolt is the GOAT, but he seems to have declined faster than many other great 100m runners. His 9.81 in Rio 2016 was really solid (and only 0.2m/s tailwind as well), but only one year later his season best was "only" a 9.95 (from Monaco and London that year). In fact, Bolt's fastest 100m after turning 30 was 9.95. To be fair, he could've done a 9.81 at age 30, as his 9.81 from Rio was literally seven days before his 30th birthday. If we look at some other of the legends, these are their fastest 100m times after turning 30 Asafa Powell: 9.81 (at 32, turning 33 that year) Tyson Gay: 9.87 (at 32, turning 33 that year) Justin Gatlin 9.74 (At 33) Yohan Blake: 9.85 (at 32, turning 33 that year) Su Bingtian: 9.83 (4 weeks before turning 32) Kim Collins' fastest time in his 30s was 9.96 (at 38), then he came back at age 40 with an insane 9.93 Carl Lewis: 9.86 (at 30) Lindford Christie: 9.87 (at 33) Maurice Greene: 9.87 (at 30) Donovan Bailey: 9.93 (at 30, turning 31 that year) Darvis Patton 9.89 (Both at age 30 and 31 (turning 31 and 32 those years) One can never know how Usain Bolt would've progressed through his 30s, but it would've been interesting to see. (It is worth noting that Gatling got caught doping twice, and served a 4 year ban. I think not competing for 4 year takes less of a toll on the body (for a world class athlete), and that there are residual effects of drugs. So a 9.74 aged 33 might've not been possible if we take drugs, and the suspension out of the equation.)

[@Lscott-fk2sn]

He took adhd meds and dopamine, neither of these are long lasting, the reduced toll definitely played a role, if he did benefit from anything it was over something he wasn't caught taking

[@b_indz8988]

The reason bolt didn’t perform well was because he didn’t have the same drive he once had. His main goal was to win 3 consecutive olympics in the 100 and 200 respectively. After 2016, he felt demotivated to continue and wanted to retire. His contract didn’t allow him to as they wanted him to go until 2017. This probably played a huge factor but Bolt could’ve probably gotten a high 9.8 atleast.

[@cookiemonsteryummyyumz]

Motivation could be a factor, but I believe its just a case where his body isnt able to stay fit in his older age as well as other sprinters. In fact, most people do not see improvements past 30. Another factor could be his scoliosis which might have made him more susceptible to injuries as he got older. Retiring at the time he did was probably the best decision, looking at his progression after 2012, I am doubtful he would be able to run well and win more titles

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

I feel Bolt was still physically capable of a 9.8 in 2017. He just didn't have the drive and personal circumstances hampered him. Still running 9.95 in cold weather, into a -0.8 headwind and with a sub-par start is still impressive.

[@yennox5338]

Don't forget Akani Simbine running a 9.82 at age 30 in the Paris 2024 men's 100m final.

[@jel2106]

Anderson, I remember Michael Johnson saying that he didn’t think he was in great shape in 2000 coming off injury in the US Olympic Trials (possibly the only other blemish aside from 1992 in his career) so he had to run more cautiously in the 400 final - he still did 43.85 - but I think that injury and his body being more susceptible to it played a part in retiring as well as, as you pointed out, the desire to keep going wasn’t there anymore (World Championships in Edmonton in 2001, etc).

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

7:43 Correction on Yohan Blake here. He didn't even make the team in 2015 Worlds. I believe he made the final of the trials and maybe that's where the confusion is. It was only in 2016 onwards where he was fit enough to make teams and finals.

[@TheFinalLeg]

Your right. I actually think I was confusing 2015 and 2017 which is why I wasn't sure about 2017. I knew there was 1 final he missed in that 2015-2019 period but couldn't remember.

[@CarlFredrik-uo1cu]

Does anyone know why Bolt did not compete in the 200m in London 2017? Also, I'm not a mind reader, but I'm pretty sure that in retrospect Bolt might've not have wanted to do the 2017 WC in London. Going from 3 Gold Medals in Rio 2016 to one bronze in London 2017 must've been an anticlimax (Bronze in the 100m, did not compete in the 200m, and DNF/injurder in the 4x100m relay)

[@meme-g7w3d]

I believe bolt said he picked the easier event to train for

[@wss33]

He wasn’t in shape

[@Dynamics416]

He wasn't in shape endurance wise to do the 200m. With the injuries he was battling and somewhat recovered from that season there just wasn't enough time to do the necessary training for the 200m. Looking back I wonder time wise what shape he was in for that event. One would think that would've been the better choice to go with, but then again the 100m winning time wasn't fast either.

[@khumokwezimashapa2245]

The comments above are all right to be honest. The 100m was easing. He has said that himself, but also he wasn't outright not in shape for that period. No lie he probably would've gotten his back blown out if he tried to.

[@annmariebusu9924]

He was supposed to retire he had been complaining about his sciatica. He wasn't fit and I remember being upset he was going because I wanted him to end on a high. We all speculate it was money.

[@10msplits]

Well we can't say 2011 Daegu 100m men's finalist and 2017 100m men's bronze winner Usain Bolt didnt have a decent career. Wait, let me scroll up for a second...

[@Page1travelfitness]

There’s no perfect time for anything as long as you’re full joying yourself and you still have the passion and drive ! Bolt retired too early !

[@aodoemela]

Noah Lyles should take notes and retire now, before 2028, That will be the year of Gout Gout, Tebogo and Wazala

[@michellerowe-smith5803]

You are crazy. He may not go to another Olympics but only time will tell.

[@aodoemela]

@michellerowe-smith5803 oh hell go

[@phaethon1988]

Nykoles Harbor*

[@aodoemela]

@phaethon1988 delulu you you

[@Pothead888]

It seems like King Noah Lyles is confidently going to compete in LA 2028, since he still hasn’t won a 200m Olympic Gold Medal (His Best Event). 200m Achievements: Olympics:🥉🥉 Wolrd Champs:🥇🥇🥇(for now) Only time will tell…

[@EthanSolomon-hh9uc]

Usain Bolt and the Jamaicans🇯🇲 dominated the sprints for 8 years and fell off after the drug testing got tougher.

[@Elliottklassen]

They were 5/1000th of a second away from 100m gold this year, but they “fell off”?

[@EthanSolomon-hh9uc]

@Elliottklassen Yeah they fell off, only one of a possible 14 medals in the 100 and 200 meter events was won by Jamaica.

[@EthanSolomon-hh9uc]

@Elliottklassen The last time Jamaica topped the medal count in the sprints in a major tournament, the World Championships and Olympics, was 2016. Do you even follow the subject?

[@ozzy9348]

@@EthanSolomon-hh9uc that's not true, jamaica topped the sprint table in tokyo 2021.

[@EthanSolomon-hh9uc]

@ozzy9348 No they didn't.

[@distanceman8147]

To each his own. But Blake is not helping his career in any way by continuing to run. He will be remembered for the 9.69 as well as the 10.29s. If he is using internet post to motivate him... that speaks volumes as well. Good luck but not a good look in my opinion.