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Recently retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt predicts that Wayde van Niekerk could obliterate his long-standing 200m world record.
Bolt’s 19.19 seconds remains top of the global list, alongside his 9.58 seconds in the 100m – both landmark times that he set at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
“I tell people that, if anyone can break the world record, it’s gonna be in the 200m,” Bolt told City Press at the launch of his signature Champagne on Thursday.
“I was watching Van Niekerk because he was looking good over 200m and we have always had this conversation that he could do it. He’s shown and proved to be not only strong, but fast. For me, the possibility is there.”
Asked if there were any takers to wipe off his global mark over the short dash, the 32-year-old’s response was: “I don’t think so! I haven’t seen the person yet to run 9.58 seconds. I think the 100m record is going to stay for a very long time.
However, the burning question has been whether Van Niekerk is still the same world-beater that he was after the 400m world record-holder missed the entire athletics season last year due to a serious knee injury.
The 26-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate ligament while participating in a celebrity touch rugby game in October 2017 and subsequently underwent surgery.
Bolt said he related to Van Niekerk’s situation as he too suffered injuries prior to major championships, but the Jamaican bounced back with victories.
“We do communicate a lot and, just listening to him, the confidence and the belief he has, he reminds me of myself. When you trust your coach and you believe in the talent you have, you can do any thing,” said Bolt.
“I am sure that after he gets back on the track – as long as he gets over his fear of competing, because the biggest problem when you start running again is that you always have at the back of your mind that ‘I could get injured again’ – he’ll be fine.”
Bolt added that he was excited for his other South African friend Akani Simbine (25), who landed his first championship individual gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia last year.
South African 100m record holder Simbine beat Bolt’s bosom buddy and former club mate Yohan Blake (28) in the 100m and 4x100m finals at the Commonwealth Games.
Bolt insisted that Blake was still the man to carry the spear for the Jamaicans in future international championships.
“I am hoping,” said Bolt with an approving nod.
“This season, he’ll have more time to improve, so hopefully he can get it together. But this is track and field, so you’ll never know. Sometimes it takes a long time to get back. It is all about the mental game.”
Bolt said he had taken a step back in his bid to become a professional football player to focus on business, part of which is his mega sponsorship deal with the GH Mumm Champagne.
He reflected with pride at the legacy he created since he burst on to the scene in 2008 until he hung up his golden spikes in 2017.
“Throughout the years, people talked about Muhammad Ali, Pelé, [Diego] Maradona ... I hope that, 10 years from now, when people are talking about great athletes, they will talk about me,” he said as a parting shot.
