Usain Bolt: Records, Races & Legacy

Usain Bolt changed sprinting in a way few athletes ever do. On this tag page you'll find news, features and quick guides about Bolt — his records, biggest races, what made him special, and where to watch his highlights. If you want clean facts and the best video moments, this is the place.

Quick facts & records

Bolt holds the official 100m world record of 9.58 seconds and the 200m record of 19.19 seconds, both set in 2009. He won eight Olympic gold medals and collected multiple World Championship titles through his career. Those numbers tell part of the story, but they don’t fully show how he changed the sport—pacing, showmanship and an ability to perform on the biggest stage.

Want the essentials at a glance? Remember these moments: Berlin 2009 (both world records), Beijing 2008 (the rise to global fame), and London 2012 (dominant championship runs). Those races are great starting points if you’re hunting clips or highlights.

Top races, why they matter

Not all great races are record runs. Beijing 2008 put Bolt on the map with a confident Olympic 100m win. Berlin 2009 is where he rewrote the record books and showed raw speed. London 2012 proved consistency under pressure, and Rio 2016 closed his Olympic career with more titles. Watching this sequence helps you see how he evolved from a young talent into a legend.

If you only have time for one race, pick Berlin 2009 for the records and Beijing 2008 for the moment he became a global star. For technical detail, watch the starts and transition to full stride—those seconds show why he was hard to beat.

Curious about training? Bolt’s speed came from a mix of natural length, relaxed running technique, and focused sprint drills. Coaches emphasize explosive starts, turnover drills, strength work and recovery. If you’re training, keep sessions short and explosive, build strength in the gym, and prioritise rest to avoid injury.

After retiring from track, Bolt explored football, business and public appearances while keeping a presence in athletics as an ambassador. He launched ventures and supported youth programs that promote sport—so his impact goes beyond medals.

Want updates? Tag pages like this collect every story we publish about Bolt and related sprinting topics. Use the site search for "Usain Bolt" to find match reports, video roundups and analysis. Follow the tag to get fresh stories in your feed and never miss a new highlight or interview.

Questions or a race you want highlighted? Tell us which Bolt moment you’d like broken down next and we’ll cover it with video links, split times and simple tips for runners who want to learn from the best.