“I Live for the Energy”- Usain Bolt Admits He Would Not Be as Fast Without Fan Support at the Olympics

Usain Bolt dominated the tracks for three consecutive editions of the Olympics, winning gentle 100m and 200m golds in Beijing, London, and Rio. His dominance in the sport was undisputed and in his prime, he was well and truly the fastest man on the planet. 

Having retired from track life, the Jamaican seems to count his lucky stars he was not a part of the team heading to Tokyo this year. Unlike previous editions of the Games, there will be no spectators allowed to witness the events live. 

BEIJING – AUGUST 20: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal in the Men’s 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

This was due to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo which prompted the government to take this big decision. Looking at the situation now, Bolt is not sure whether he would be able to perform as well in the silence. 

“I definitely feel having empty stadiums would affect me” he admitted in an interview with The Mirror. “I feel the crowd, I live for the energy, the vibe, the noise. So for me to walk into an empty stadium, I feel it would affect me a little.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning gold in the Men’s 200m Final on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Usain Bolt believes his world record would not be as good without fans

The Jamaican was a showman of the highest order and grew not only as the fastest man on the planet but an icon. Without fans, he goes so far as to claim that his records would not be as fast.

“I really don’t know. I think I would have run fast but I don’t think the record would be so great, do you know what I mean? Because when I walk out and I get that chill and that vibe, it always drives me to do even better,” he said. 

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Usain Bolt of Jamaica points to the sky before winning the Men’s 100 meter final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

That being said, Bolt believes athletes must not be phased by the absence of fans. He adds that the Games were delayed by an entire year so they must see this as an opportunity rather than half a chance. 

“So I personally feel like they deserve this. Just like how they are playing football and everything else,” Bolt said. “They should just carry out the right protocols and it should be able to go on.”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 18: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the Men’s 200m Final on Day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 18, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Usain Bolt will not be making a return to the tracks but is ready to see a new gold medallist in the 100m and 200m events. His records may never be touched but the word of athletics is unpredictable and Bolt himself knows surprises can come from anywhere. 

Read more: USA 200m Favorite Noah Lyles Includes This Peculiar Hobby as Part of His Training

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