‘Never!’ - Why Usain Bolt Does Not Believe Modern Sprinters like Oblique Seville, Noah Lyles Can Ever Break His World Records

Sprint legend Usain Bolt has boldly claimed that no current athlete — not even rising Jamaican stars Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson  or American showman Noah Lyles — can surpass his long-standing world records in the 100m and 200m.

Speaking in a recent interview nearly a decade after hanging up his spikes, Bolt reflected on the evolution of sprinting technology and training but insisted that the new generation still lacks something his era had — raw talent, discipline, and relentless work ethic.

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When asked why his world records of 9.58 seconds (100m) and 19.19 seconds (200m) have stood unbroken for over 15 years despite advances in science and equipment, Bolt didn’t hesitate.

“Somebody asked me that question, and the only thing I can come up with is that our generation was a lot more talented,” Bolt said on Forbes Media. “Maybe we were just more gifted — or maybe we worked harder. I don’t know.”

Pressed on whether he would bet on anyone to eventually break his records, the Jamaican laughed and replied firmly: “No. Never.”

Bolt went on to explain that while today’s athletes benefit from superior track surfaces, nutrition, and biomechanical support, many underestimate the mental and emotional sacrifices that went into his dominance.

“It’s not just the talent,” he said. “There’s a lot of hard work behind it — dedication, sacrifice, and sweat. My dad always told me, ‘If you want something, you have to work hard for it.’ That stuck with me all my life. I understood early that if I wanted to be the best, I had to give everything.”

Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals across three Games, credited his longevity to consistency and the careful guidance of his longtime coach, Glen Mills.

“For me, it was all about consistency,” Bolt said. “With Coach Mills, we locked in on what we wanted to achieve. We always knew the Olympics was the main goal, but we took it one year at a time — setting goals, staying fit, staying healthy, getting rest. That’s how we built it.”

Bolt revealed that being “the man to beat” after Beijing 2008 made him even more motivated. “The first one is always easier because you’re the challenger. Then you become the challenged,” he said. “But I live for competition. Knowing there were guys coming for me made me train even harder.”

When asked how he dealt with the enormous pressure of expectation — the belief that every race could be another world record — Bolt said his drive always came from within.

“I understand fans want to see greatness,” he said. “But my expectations for myself were always higher than anyone else’s. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I knew my goals. I didn’t want to make any mistakes.”

Bolt added that he learned to tune out outside noise and negativity. “When I’m on the track, I perform for my fans,” he said. “But otherwise, I stay to myself. There’s always someone saying something negative or wanting more. I just focus on myself.”