Usain Bolt Tried to Break the 300m World Record in His Prime- Here’s What Happened Next

Published 01/28/2022, 3:43 PM EST

Sprinting is one of the most widely watched sports in the world. As a result, sprinting athletes are also widely popular, especially a certain legend, Usain Bolt.

The Jamaican athlete has altogether changed the course of the sport and is still the fastest man on earth. Notably, Bolt’s world records in the 100m and 200m races are still unbeaten.

Not only that, Bolt tried to break several other records during his prime; one of them was the 300m race.

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Usain Bolt attempts to break the 300m world record

Bolt put in a career-best performance at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. He performed a phenomenal 100m in 9.69 seconds. He also completed the 200m in 19.19 seconds, both of which are world records to date.

These were the very records that made him the fastest man in the world. Bolt is also part of the 4*100 relay record set by the Jamaican team at the 2012 London Olympics.

However, he also attempted to break several other records when he was in his prime. Most of these were unofficial. One of them was the 150m race, which isn’t usually contested in championships. But to his credit, Bolt holds the fastest time in that race as well.

Hence, he then went on to try and break the then 300m world record then held by American sprinter, Michael Johnson. Johnson set the 300m world record in 2000 at 30.85 seconds.

However, Bolt could not break this record. He came quite close and finished the race at 30.97 seconds. But it is important here to mention that Johnson had the benefit of altitude, which Bolt didn’t.

Thus, he had to settle for the fastest time ever, without altitude assistance. The 8-time Olympic medalist has proven repeatedly that he dominates the sport through and through. However, the 300m record title wasn’t his to claim after all.

Who is the current 300m world record holder?

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It was Wayde van Niekerk who ultimately broke the record. Niekerk is the current 400m world record holder.

Niekerk performed an impressive feat and beat the world record at the same time as Usain Bolt attempted it. He had a remarkable time of 30.81 seconds.

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Niekerk is also one of the legendary sprinters to have graced the field and is the current 400m Olympic record holder. He competes in the 200m and 400m races.

“Changed My Life in Less Than 30 Seconds”: Usain Bolt Recalls the Most Impactful Moment of His Career

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Richa Goswami is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. As an adherent learner, she uses her journalistic persona to navigate through new skills. Richa has completed her schooling at Don Bosco.

Usain Bolt Tried to Break the 300m World Record in His Prime- Here’s What Happened Next

Usain Bolt attempts to break the 300m world record

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Who is the current 300m world record holder?