Usain Bolt has revealed that his lifestyle has changed dramatically since retiring from athletics, admitting he now gets out of breath just walking up the stairs. The sprint legend, who once dazzled the world with his unmatched speed and charisma, confessed that his days of competitive training are long behind him, replaced with a quieter routine centered around family life, streaming series, and building Lego sets.
At 39, Bolt reflected on his journey in athletics and the state of sprinting today. He made a brief return to the spotlight during the 100m finals in Tokyo, where he struck his famous “To Da World” pose in front of 60,000 cheering fans. The moment reignited memories of his dominance, but Bolt was quick to note that he no longer maintains the rigorous fitness levels that defined his career. After suffering an achilles injury last year, he has shifted to occasional gym workouts but admitted he needs to start running again just to improve his breathing.
When asked why the current generation of sprinters has not matched the blistering times of his era, Bolt was forthright. “We were just more talented,” he said, pointing out that the men he raced against — including Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, and Justin Gatlin — regularly posted faster times than today’s crop. Despite advancements in spikes and track technology, no male sprinter has broken the 9.70-second barrier since 2012. By contrast, Bolt noted that women’s sprinting has surged forward, with stars continuing to set record-breaking times.
The former world champion, who still holds the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay records, believes personality is as important as performance when it comes to capturing fans’ imaginations. During his career, he often engaged with spectators and enjoyed the showmanship of big occasions, something he encourages today’s athletes to embrace.
Bolt now spends his days focused on family life with his three young children, Olympia Lightning, Saint Leo, and Thunder Bolt. He hopes to bring them to the World Championships in Beijing in 2027 to show them the stadium where his legendary career began during the 2008 Olympics. For him, sharing his history with his children is as exciting as any medal he ever won.
