Is the lightning bolt the greatest ever tracking athlete? Seven for seven with two events left. Three times Olympic 100 meter champion. World and Olympic record holder in 100 meter.
My post from the Olympic thread: There is something extra special about being the fastest man to have ever lived. We've been running/ sprinting for millions of years and have had races for thousands of years -- Bolt is the best that has ever lived. *In BC 748,766 Og Uh Uhhg ran a 9.41 100 but petroglyphs indicate his time was wind aided.
Three time 100 Olympic champion is extremely impressive. You have to be in super prime physical state to win this event.
Its almost like he gives you the lead early on only to crush your dreams as he easily glides past you. He's an athletic freak!
Not arguing against Bolt, but Carl Lewis finished with 9 Olympic gold medals including the 100m, 200m and long jump.
You are only saying this because it is sprinting and no one cares about other events. I will say greatest at T&F events that people GAF about.
Right now I would have Bolt tied with Carl Lewis. I remember when Lewis got gold medals in four different events. Has any other track athlete ever done that?
I have to go Jesse Owens. The pressure he was under not to go to the Olympics and then win four gold medals in Nazi Germany including a long jump record that stood for 25 years. That's just all-time.
Bolt is certainly up there and if he succeeds in getting three golds this Olympics that will put him with 9 gold medals in 3 Olympics in addition to 11 World Championships which will surpass Carl Lewis. Also Usain Bolt has gotten gold in every Olympic event he's been in. Something that Carl Lewis didn't achieve.
Bolt was already GOAT after 2009 when he ran 9.58 and 19.19 Those are not human speeds and probably will never be surpassed again.