Thought I'd point out that the question is Track Athlete...not Track and Field athlete. While I agree Bolt is GOAT in track, I'd put Michael Johnson in contention with Lewis, when discussing Track events. Technicality? Did OP mean both Track and Field? I'm sure he did. Even so, I feel Michael Johnson still deserves mention in this thread. Only person to win Gold in both 200m and 400m in same Olympics. Has just as many WC Golds in Track events as Lewis (eight), to include the long jump Golds for Lewis. And absolutely dominated 400m for years, and just now got his 17 yr old 400m WR broken this Olympics. If you throw out Butch Reynolds 1988 WR which clearly was due to steroids, Johnson shattered a 31 yr old record, and held it for another 17 years.
No question he's the greatest sprinter. Also, he may not have done the long jump like Owens or Lewis, but if he goes 9 for 9, don't see how anyone can make an argument against him being the GOAT
Should also be noted Michael Johnson shattered the 200m WR by .42 seconds...and held it for 12 years, until Bolt broke it. Here's the best 4 times in 200m history. 19:32 Michael Johnson WR 1996 19:30 Bolt WR 2008 19.26 Yohan Blake 2011 19:19 Bolt WR 2009 There is only one other time in the history of the 200m faster than Johnson's, besides Bolt. Bolt has only beaten Johnson's time twice in his career. Lewis is nearly a half second slower than Johnson in the 200m. And, of course, when you look at all-time 400m times, and throw out Butch Reynolds, it is ridiculous how other-worldly Johnson was.
Not saying Bolt is Gatlin, but if Gatlin can be this competitive at age 34, I wonder if Bolt might participate in Tokyo for the next Olympics.
No doubt Bolt is the fastest human who ever lived, but there are other events other than the 100 and 200. I think Michael Johnson was better because he did the 400 also which is totally different than the 100 and 200. I think people totally missed Van Niekerk's 400 yesterday. He could have broken 43 seconds if he didn't slow down at the end.
Obviously not because he didn't. Bolt is fastest man to ever live, but I think track is more than just sprinting a half a lap or a football field.
No, but he is the greatest sprinter of all time. The 100M is the most popular event, and he has clearly dominated that.
Do you think he slowed down or was running out of gas? I thought he slowed down at first but on the replay it looks like its not so intentional.
He's just so much taller and longer than everyone else. Those long strides. He's got a prime Michael Jordan looking body. 6'5 barefoot, 200lbs, MJ was about 6'6 205-212 when he won his first 3 peat and quick as a cat. "Black Cat" was one of his nicknames for a reason. Anyway, yeah, GOAT.
