Usain Bolt 'Not Worried' Today's Sprinters Will Break 100m, 200m Track World Records

Jamaican track and field legend Usain Bolt doesn't believe his world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes are set to fall any time soon.

Speaking to reporters at a Puma event Thursday before the start of the 2025 World Athletics Championships this weekend, Bolt downplayed the likelihood of his records getting broken in the near future.

"No, I'm not worried," Bolt said. "I think the talent is there, there will be talented athletes coming up, and they will do well. But at this present moment, I don't see any athlete able to break the record, so not worried."

Bolt's records have stood since the 2009 world championships in Berlin, which saw him run the 100m in 9.58 seconds and the 200m in 19.19 seconds.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, who is now a 35-year-old veteran, came closest to Bolt's record, as he is the only sprinter to run the 100m in less than 9.7 seconds and the 200m in less than 19.3 seconds since Bolt set the records.

Perhaps the biggest and most polarizing name in track today is American Noah Lyles, who won gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Although Lyles has been outspoken about trying to break Bolt's records, his personal bests of 9.79 in the 100m and 19.31 in the 200m haven't gotten him particularly close.

Sunday will mark a big opportunity for Lyles and other sprinters to challenge Bolt's 100m record since that is the day the final of the 100-meter dash will be contested at the worlds.

Bolt seemingly isn't putting any stock into the idea of his records getting broken at this year's worlds, but he did acknowledge that it's likely to happen one day thanks to improved technology with shoes and track surfaces, saying, "Everything evolves in life, people trying to get better, trying to get faster. It's not going to be a surprise if it actually happens."

The 39-year-old Bolt is widely regarded as the greatest short-distance runner of all time, and it is tough to argue with his results.

In 2008, he won Olympic gold in the 100m and 200m, and he swept gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100-meter relay at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games as well.

Bolt also won 14 career medals at the worlds, including 11 golds, seven of which were in the 100m or 200m.

Assuming they all qualify, Lyles will clash with fellow American Kenny Bednarek and Jamaican stars Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville in the 100m final at the worlds on Sunday, marking the marquee event of the entire meet.

Regardless of whether they challenge or eclipse Bolt's record, the winner will be declared the fastest man in the world, which is a title Bolt held for many years.