Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt may still hold the world records in both the 100 and 200 meters, but it is the latter event—the 200m—that remains closest to his heart.
Despite dominating global athletics for over a decade, Bolt has revealed that one particular sprint record defines his career more than any other.
The fastest man alive, now 38, stunned the world at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he broke American great Michael Johnson’s long-standing 200m record of 19.32 seconds, clocking in an electrifying 19.30 seconds. But that was only the beginning.
Bolt shocked the track world again a year later, at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, where he set an astonishing 19.19 seconds—still the fastest 200m ever run. Despite also holding the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds from the same championships, Bolt says the 200m means more to him.
“The 200m is my favourite event,” Bolt confessed on the Ready Set Go podcast.
“So when I got that, it meant so much more to me than the 100m.”
For Bolt, the 200m represented not just speed, but the culmination of years of endurance training and tactical execution. Reflecting on his earlier doubts, he said: “When I broke it in ’08, I didn’t know I could do it. Michael Johnson’s record seemed untouchable to me.”
Even with eight Olympic gold medals and numerous accolades, Bolt said the 200m is what makes him feel invincible: “When it comes to the 200m I don’t fear anybody. I’m ready all the time.”
Bolt shocked the track world again a year later, at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, where he set an astonishing 19.19 seconds—still the fastest 200m ever run. Despite also holding the 100m world record at 9.58 seconds from the same championships, Bolt says the 200m means more to him.
“The 200m is my favourite event,” Bolt confessed on the Ready Set Go podcast.
“So when I got that, it meant so much more to me than the 100m.”
For Bolt, the 200m represented not just speed, but the culmination of years of endurance training and tactical execution. Reflecting on his earlier doubts, he said: “When I broke it in ’08, I didn’t know I could do it. Michael Johnson’s record seemed untouchable to me.”
Even with eight Olympic gold medals and numerous accolades, Bolt said the 200m is what makes him feel invincible: “When it comes to the 200m I don’t fear anybody. I’m ready all the time.”
