Category: Athletics

Usain Bolt has revealed the one regret from his extraordinary career – not breaking the 19-second barrier over 200m.

The Jamaican is the fastest man in history over 100m (9.58s) and 200m (19.19s), with both times set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin as he pushed the boundaries of sprinting to new limits.

However, speaking on episode two of The Power of the Olympics – available to watch at 17:30 UK time on Wednesday, April 24 on Eurosport 1 and discovery+ – Bolt confessed he wished he had gone even faster over the half-lap race.

“I wish I had lowered this world record. That’s something throughout my career I wish I had done,” he told Eurosport at a Puma event in Jamaica.

“It was my favourite event. If I could have got under 19 seconds, it would have been a big milestone and I would have loved to have done that. If I had a regret in my career, it would be not running under 19 seconds.”

Bolt also talked about his infamous diet of chicken nuggets at Beijing 2008, being stripped of an Olympic relay gold after a team-mate failed a drugs test and his professional football debut in Australia.

Bolt burst onto the global stage with world-record wins over 100m and 200m at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – but it was his diet that arguably attracted the most attention.

He estimated that he ate around 1,000 chicken nuggets – and almost nothing else – during his time in the Athletes’ Village, working out at around 100 each day.

“I had a lot. When I got to China, I remember we went to the cafeteria, and I was just walking around and I couldn’t find anything that I liked. And then we found McDonald’s and I got into that,” he said.

“So I just had nuggets every day, just constantly nuggets, nuggets, nuggets! I had a lot of nuggets throughout my time in China.”

Bolt broke Michael Johnson’s 200m world record in the Chinese capital and he admitted it was extra sweet given the legendary American had written off his chances before the event.

“It was the day before my birthday. They sang “Happy Birthday” to me at the stadium when I collected my medal the day after,” he recalled.

“For me, it’s my favourite event. I love to be the fastest man in the world but the 200m means a lot more to me because it’s something that I worked very hard to perfect.

“I remember the video that he [Johnson] put out saying ‘I don’t think he’s going to get it this trip’. And I got it, so it was even better!”

One year later in Berlin, Bolt obliterated his own 100m world record of 9.69s by clocking 9.58s – the biggest WR time jump in the event since electronic timing was introduced.

“The world record was beautiful. I knew I was going to break the world record. For the first time I actually knew,” he said.

“My focus was to win but I knew I was going to break the world record. We actually made a bet to see how fast I would run. It was just a beautiful moment and it’s a part of my legacy.”

Bolt won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at three straight Olympics (Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016) – but he was stripped of the relay gold medal from Beijing after Jamaican team-mate Nesta Carter was found guilty of doping.

“It’s just one of those things. I’m not going to cry over it. It was sad when I found out one was going to be taken away, but what am I going to do?” said Bolt.

“For me, I did what I was supposed to do so it’s fine.”

He added: “This [winning eight Olympic golds] means a lot more to me than the world records.

“The fact that I dominated over the period of time that I did has never been done before and it’s going to be hard to replicate. Winning the eight gold medals throughout my era means a lot more to me.”

On August 31, 2018, Bolt swapped spikes for studs as he made his professional football debut with Central Coast Mariners in a friendly – with the sprinter-turned-striker scoring twice on his first start for the club two months later.

“That was an experience. I was really happy that I did it, it was something I had always wanted to do,” he said.

“So the fact that I even got a taste of it, playing football, it meant a lot. It’s so different but it was wonderful to actually have team-mates that you could actually hang out with, talk with, share with, because track and field is such an individual sport. The opportunity that I got I really loved and enjoyed.”

So is Bolt tempted to return to the track to take on all-conquering American Noah Lyles at Paris 2024?

“No! It’s too late for that, man. I think I had to come back it would have been like two years after, maybe the last Olympics, but it’s too late now,” he laughed.

“I’m retired, I’m too happy drinking and hanging out. My kids keep me busy!”

He added: “I’m excited because it’s the first time I’m going to go to the Olympics and actually watch. I get to bring my family which is also wonderful.

Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir completed an incredible Ethiopian double as they both raced to victory on their debuts at the 2024 Paris Marathon on Sunday.

Uma was victorious in only his fourth-ever marathon race to claim the men’s elite gold medal in a historic win.

The Ethiopian crossed the line in 2:05:33, recording a personal best time to fend off Kenya duo Titus Kipruto and 2021 champion Elisha Rotich.

Kipruto finished second to claim silver medal after clocking in at 2:05:48, while Rotich settled for bronze medal after concluding his race just over a minute later than his compatriot, finishing with a time of 2:06:54.

Despite Uma’s victory, Kenya dominated the rest of the top five as Bethwell Kipkemboi crossed the line fourth – just 12 seconds after Rotich – while Cosmas Muteti finished fifth.

In the women’s elite race, Fikir went one better than her male compatriot as she claimed victory on her first-ever marathon appearance.

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot – a former world and Olympic 5,000m champion who won gold at the Games in Rio – was the hot favourite to top the podium on her return after failing to finish her last race at the 2020 London Marathon.

However, the 2018 London Marathon champion faced a strong Ethiopian field and was stunned by Fikir who claimed gold on her Paris and marathon debut.

The 24-year-old raced across the line quickest in a time of 2:20:45 to beat Cheruiyot and narrowly edge second place Enat Tirusew by three seconds.

Ethiopia’s Tirusew recorded a time of 2:20:48, while Cheruiyot’s effort of 02:21:47 – more than a minute slower than Fikir – was only good enough for a bronze medal.

The top three finished well clear of the rest of the field in the women’s race, as Valentina Mateiko finished fourth, three-and-a-half minutes behind Fikir.

There were more than four minutes between the winner and Rahma Tusa, who posted a time of 02:24:48 to wrap up the top five.

In addition to the iconic Paris Marathon of which it is a partner, ASICS is creating a buzz at the 2024 edition by organizing a world-class elite race on Friday night for its elite athletes, consisting of 10- and five-kilometre races. The goal is to bring together its best runners from across the world to put on a show of speed in the heart of the French capital.

One could not dream of a better way to elevate the Paris Marathon in this Olympic year. Starting and finishing at Palais Royal, the ASICS Speed Race will be supported by thousands of spectators aiming to catch a glimpse on the incredible racing action. The unique night-race format promises to deliver a truly unique spectacle for all watching.

Reserved for the best professional runners sponsored by ASICS, the ASICS Speed Race sets the tone for the three days of celebration and achievement at the Paris Festival of Running – a three-day celebration of running in the French capital organised by ASICS. For all the champions present, just a few months before the start of the Olympic Games in the same city, the ASICS Speed Race is the perfect opportunity to test themselves against each other.

ASICS is bringing over 100 of its best athletes from across the world to Paris for this race, which will be broadcast live from 7PM CET. Among these athletes, French triathlete Leo Bergere, world champion in short-distance triathlon in 2022, will be one of the headliners. Suffice to say that the Frenchman has ambitions on the 10 kilometers where he is competing.

“Of course, I will give my maximum,” he declares in the preamble. “I think it’s an incredible opportunity for many athletes to improve their personal best or even qualify for the Olympic Games.

“But for me, it’s not so much about winning as it is about knowing where I am in my preparation while having a great time with my team-mates at ASICS.”

At home, and with the Olympics in sight, the Frenchman predicts “an electric atmosphere that will boost both athletes and spectators” during this ASICS Speed Race.

The history-steeped course of these races only adds to the motivation of the competitors.

“The route is iconic and I hope that many Parisians and running fans will come to cheer us on,” concludes Bergere. A wish echoed by another middle-distance star, Italian Nadia Battocletti, her country’s record holder over 5km and who is aiming for the national record over 10km in Paris: Battocletti said: “It always helps to have a crowd cheering you on and wanting you to win. It always gives you that little extra bit of energy you need.”

Eddy Ferhi, marketing director France for the brand, does not hide his satisfaction at the idea of seeing the world’s best middle-distance runners flock to the streets of Paris.

“2024 is obviously a very-important year in the world of running and we are extremely grateful to all these ASICS athletes who have agreed to come and participate in these sprint races in Paris,” Ferhi. “We can’t wait to see them race on Friday, push their limits and chase their personal bests.”

These two exceptional races are part of ASICS’ Festival of Running – a three-day celebration of running that breaks the mould and is aimed at all running enthusiasts, whether they are professionals or amateurs. A philosophy that is reflected both in the acronym ASICS, whose each letter forms the famous Roman motto “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” (A sound mind in a sound body) and in the very organisation of this festival, which aims to meet all needs and desires. To ignite, excite and inspire. These are the watchwords.

All of this, of course, in the prestigious setting of the monuments of Paris. Thus, on the second day, which will be the day of the race dedicated to Paris Run for All, the competitors “will start from the Palais Royal and cross the finish line at the Ecole Militaire,” said Ferhi, who is also looking forward to the “live music, entertainment and positive energy” that will accompany this race and will enhance the atmosphere of the city through movement.