Mikel Obi hosts Usain Bolt to engaging chat on his career

During an engaging chat on the Obione podcast with Nigerian football legend Mikel Obi, multiple world record holder Usain Bolt shared his candid thoughts on the current generation of sprinters, particularly Noah Lyles, and reminisced about his illustrious career.

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, delved into the fierce competition of his era, marked by his staunch rivalry with American sprinter Justin Gatlin.

He expressed his longing for the electrifying atmosphere of the track, saying, “It’s walking that first initial walk into the stadium and then the crowd sees you and screams, it’s different man, it’s a different feeling. You know what I mean, you go into the blocks you stride out, there’s no way of getting that feeling now.”

Reflecting on Lyles, the current world 100m champion, Bolt opined that Lyles’s bullish character might not have thrived in his era. “I love competition, you know what I mean. Even now, I see Noah Lyles running I’m like I wish he was in my era to shut it down, just be cool. It was different, that’s how competitive I am. I wish I was in this era.”

Bolt also highlighted his rivalry with Gatlin, crediting him for keeping him on his toes. “I think Justin Gatlin, I have to give my hats off to him,” Bolt acknowledged. “The last five, six years of my career, it was me and him every season. He kept me on my toes throughout, and I loved the competition.”

He recalled a pivotal moment when his competitive spirit was reignited by a video of Gatlin confidently predicting his victory. “I remember I’m just on Instagram scrolling, and someone sent me a video,” Bolt recounted. “He [Gatlin] was like, ‘Justin, I’m gonna win, don’t worry, and I’m going to wear the gold medal around my neck.’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ Alright, let’s go then.”

Bolt praised Gatlin’s consistency, quoting his coach: “Listen, Gatlin is going to show up. He is that guy in a Championship; no matter what is going on, he is going to show up.”

The conversation highlighted the dominant era of sprinting that included not just Bolt and Gatlin, but also Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake, and Asafa Powell. These athletes shared multiple medals and world records, ending their careers as some of the fastest men in history.

Reflecting on his legacy, Bolt noted, “So at times when I watch track and field, I do miss it. But then you think about training, and you’ll be like, whatever, I’m fine.” His journey and insights offer a profound look into the mindset and experiences of a sporting legend.