Usain Bolt has enjoyed life away from the tracks with so many new endeavours. The most recent is his stint as a music producer that has seen some interesting collaborations already. However, with the dawn of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, he can?t help but look back at the tracks, a career that sustained him for nearly two decades.
Olympic legend comments on empty stadiums at the Tokyo Olympics 2020
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Since he himself is not competing this year, many athletes are priming themselves to take his place in the spotlight not only as the king of the 100m and 200m but as Olympic icons. Until last month, a new fan-favorite spot seemed to be open for the taking.?
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BEIJING – AUGUST 20: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal in the Men’s 200m Final ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe and Shawn Crawford of the United States at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, because of the surge in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, the government hosted the Games without spectators. Touching upon the idea of competing without fan support, Bolt had a spit mind.?
?I feel they?ve been sitting out for so long throughout the pandemic. But it?s also a job for them and they lost one year and they?ve finally been given the chance to compete,? he said, speaking to The Mirror. ?I feel like it?s necessary for the athletes.?
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Andre de Grasse of Canada (L) and Usain Bolt of Jamaica (C) react as they compete in the Men’s 200m Semifinals on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Usain Bolt believes the Olympics can follow the example of other sporting events
Usain Bolt has his fair share of experience in the athletic field. He believes if sports can thrive even in the absence of fans, Olympians should not have a problem.?
?So I personally feel like they deserve this. Just like how they are playing football and everything else,? he explained. ?They should just carry out the right protocols and it should be able to go on.?
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 18: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the Men’s 200m Final on Day 13 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 18, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist will watch someone else take his crown as the king of the 100m and 200m sprints this year. Retiring in 2017 after a painful hamstring injury, Bolt never looked back at the tracks.?
However, he feels that if he competed this year, the empty stadiums would have a big effect on him.?
?I definitely feel having empty stadiums would affect me,? he admitted. “I feel the crowd, I live for the energy, the vibe, the noise. So for me to walk into an empty stadium, I feel it would affect me a little.?
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning gold in the Men’s 200m Final on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
A showman certainly needs an audience, and that?s what Usain Bolt was all about; apart from the blistering speed, of course. Competing without fans will be the ultimate challenge for most athletes. But in the end, it all comes down to proficiency in the event itself.?
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