When Usain Bolt, the fastest man on Earth, popped up at the Oslo Diamond League this summer, it wasn’t just another celebrity sighting; it was an event in itself. Even though the 38-year-old Jamaican legend retired in 2017, his presence at Bislett Stadium sent a jolt through the crowd. He wasn’t there to race, but with his staggering 9.58-second 100-meter world record and eight Olympic gold medals, Bolt is still the gold standard in sprinting. His casual yet captivating appearance reminded everyone of a time when he completely redefined what speed meant. But what was he actually doing back on the track? His rival reveals.

Enter Justin Gatlin, Bolt’s long-time rival, who recently spilled the beans on the Ready Set Go podcast, chuckling as he recounted Bolt’s antics. Gatlin, an Olympic gold medalist himself from 2004, shared a gem from the Oslo sidelines: “We seen Bolt go out there… do a little three-point stance move off the line so it looks like Usain is getting back into shape, man.”

Gatlin wasn’t just reminiscing; he had playfully texted Bolt for Father’s Day, adding, “Alright man, you can’t be scaring this new generation out here acting like you about to get ready to run. Man, they not as strong and tough as our generation was—man, they going to lay down for you.” It was a lighthearted jab, but it hinted that today’s sprinters might just crumble under Bolt’s shadow. So, was Gatlin just having fun, or is there some truth to his generational dig?

Gatlin’s words paint a vivid picture: Bolt, ever the showman, casually dropping into a three-point stance, maybe just to flex a bit of that old magic. You can almost imagine younger athletes, like Julien Alfred, who was there, stealing glances, wondering if the legend could still outrun them.

As Bolt’s legacy continues to loom large, Gatlin’s humor effortlessly bridges the past and present, leaving us to wonder: Can today’s sprinters ever truly escape the long shadow of the fastest man alive? Meanwhile, Mondo completed the Bolt challenge. 

Usain Bolt promises Duplantis a Record-Breaking party

The atmosphere at Oslo’s Bislett Stadium on June 12, 2025, was absolutely electric, and it wasn’t just because of the Diamond League meet. The one and only Usain Bolt, sprinting legend, was there, mingling with the crowd. He wasn’t there to race but to inspire. Before heading to Stockholm, Bolt playfully challenged pole vault king Armand “Mondo” Duplantis: break the world record, and they’d party. That promise clearly lit a fire under the 25-year-old Swede. But would Duplantis actually deliver?

Fast forward to Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium on June 15, and Duplantis was simply unstoppable. He dominated the Diamond League competition, clearing four jumps up to 6 meters on his first attempts. Then, with the crowd roaring, he did something incredible: he raised the bar to 6.28 meters—a full centimeter higher than his previous world record set in February. He nailed it on his first try, and in a moment of excitement, Duplantis ripped off his shirt, sending the stands into a frenzy. Bolt’s party promise was now a reality.

“For me it’s pretty cool, actually,” Duplantis told SVT. “He said if I break the world record, we can party tonight, so I’m sure it’s going to be a fun night with him, but I’m just so happy.” This wasn’t just another record, his 12th, to be precise; it was his first on Swedish soil, a dream fulfilled right in front of his family and friends. Bolt, who had keenly watched the Oslo meet, was there to witness Mondo’s magic firsthand. The sprint legend’s presence, coupled with that tempting party promise, undoubtedly added an extra spark to Duplantis’ record-breaking leap. As he celebrated, you could almost picture Bolt grinning, already anticipating a legendary night out.