Olympic Track & Field 2012: Usain Bolt Must Win Gold to Preserve His Legacy

Usain Bolt took the world by storm with his 100-meter dash world record-breaking performance in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He can write his own legacy if he is able to repeat his performance in London.

Winning back-to-back gold medals in the 100 at the Olympic Games is one of the hardest feats for an athlete. Carl Lewis is the only runner to have successfully defended the title as the fastest man in the world.

Bolt is the most exciting track and field runner in the Olympic Games since Michael Johnson's career during the 1990s. He has the personality, charisma and talent to continue to be an international superstar if he wins the race.

This is the one time during the Olympic Games that passing the torch isn't desirable.

Bolt's legacy will greatly be determined by his performance in London. According to ESPN.com, he finally admitted that he has been suffering from a back problem earlier this year. He said the bad back was causing hamstring problems which caused his losses to Yohan Blake, his training partner.

Back problem, or no back problem, he has to leave it all on the track. If he doesn't win gold, his legacy will be one of the greatest performances in the history of the Olympic Games, instead of one of the greatest Olympians.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow his thoughts, rants and adventures on Facebook or Twitter @JWilburg or visit his website www.jamalwilburg.com.