Usain Bolt sees athletics miss him and wants help: ‘I offered myself’

Usain Bolt notes that the sport of athletics misses him after the former top runner retired 6 years ago. According to the 36-year-old Jamaican, the sport’s popularity has waned because no one with Bolt’s charisma has emerged to replace him.

The 8-time Olympic champion has noticed that improvement is coming and sees a role for himself in this. He told Reuters news agency that Bolt was interested in a position with the World Association of Athletics Federations.

lightning strike
“Hopefully I can play a role and help the sport grow. I offered myself, but I’m still waiting for an offer. There have been talks, but we’ll have to wait a little longer.”

Last year’s World Cup in Eugene, USA, was an example of the declining popularity of athletics, according to Bolt. But the former expert in the 100 and 200 meters is not yet worried about the Olympic Games next year in Paris.

“America isn’t the best place for athletics. Paris would be great because it’s easy to get to and the French always have good athletes. So I’m looking forward to that.”

Next generation
After nearly 10 years of Bolt’s dominance in the sprint race, the Jamaican men have failed to win a gold medal at the last two world championships. The world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters has pinned his hopes on youngsters Akeem Blake and Obelik Sevilla, who finished fourth last year.