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Usain Bolt explained that Noah Lyles proved himself a true champion by thriving under Olympic pressure, unlike Kishane Thompson, who struggled in his debut.
The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has explained why he sees Noah Lyles as a true champion in comparison to Kishane Thompson.
Usain Bolt was speaking during an interview shared on PUMA’s YouTube Channel, as he defended his reason for viewing the reigning Olympic 100m champion as a true champion.
The 11-time world champion revealed that athletes who thrive under pressure are the greatest, as he pointed out that he has seen so many talented athletes who failed to show up on the global stage and failed terribly.
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“Pressure…I think the ones that can deal with external pressure, because, not calling names, but I've seen very talented people, but when the time comes, it's tough,” Usain Bolt shared.
Usain Bolt: Why Noah Lyles is a true champion
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The eight-time Olympic champion revealed that watching the Olympic 100m final in Paris opened his eyes to view the three-time world 200m champion differently.
Before the men’s race, the sprinters were made to wait for about 10 minutes, and that is when he knew Kishane Thompson was not going to win.
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Usain Bolt revealed that if the race had started earlier, Kishane Thompson had a chance of winning, but after being made to wait longer, the script flipped.
“When they started, I was like, he has a great chance of winning. But the moment they took, like 10 minutes, at like five, six minutes they were standing there, and I was like, yeah, he's not going to win this,” Usain Bolt revealed.
“Because it's already pressuring to walk out there, and this is your first one. To the point where now you're like wallowing in everything. So now you're standing there, you're doing nothing.
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“You're seeing all that's going on. You're thinking about what's about to happen. There's so much going on. That pressure comes, it feels like a wall closing in on you, the longer you're standing out there.”
Usain Bolt lauded Noah Lyles’ confidence, revealing that after the sprinters had been made to wait for that long, he was sure that the American would take the win.
He did not downplay Kishane Thompson’s ability to thrive, noting that it was his first major championship, and he was bound to feel a bit of pressure, and maybe he was unable to handle it well.
Usain Bolt advised Kishane Thompson that he might have the talent but in order to be great, he will have to also be strong mentally.
"So, I knew he was not going to win this one. And I knew because Noah Lyles, his confidence is different. So, I was like he's definitely going to win, because he's so confident,” Usain Bolt said.
“He's living for the moment, and Kishane, it's his first time. He's never been under this pressure to win. The fact that this is your first Olympics and you're favourite to win this, it was tough.
“So, that's what I'm saying, pressure. You can have all the talent, but if you're mentally not strong, it will break you down.”
Usain Bolt’s reflections highlight that greatness on the track goes beyond talent; it is about mastering the moment.
For Usain Bolt, Noah Lyles embodies that rare combination of ability and mental toughness, while Kishane Thompson's journey is just beginning, with valuable lessons already shaping his future.
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