Former American athletics star, Carl Lewis, says the sports of athletics may well be better off with the departure of triple world record holder Usain Bolt.
Bolt retired after the recently concluded London World Championships where he only managed to earn a bronze medal in the 100 meters.
But Lewis is adamant that participants of the sport must hurry and put the recent departure of Bolt, claiming there is a unique opportunity for things to be even better off.
Track and field pundits have argued that will Bolt’ throwing in his spikes he will never be replaced he can never be replaced. Over his ten-year professional career Bolt was the darling of the sport where he entertained and thrilled with scintillating runs and his inimitable antics.
“The sport is not just about one person. Nobody is irreplaceable. Track and field survived many civilizations. Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson and now Usain Bolt. Men will all come and go but the sport will always remain,” Lewis told PTI.
“We need to do more to build on the sport. We don’t need to follow that trend that we have been in the last eight years, which was just about following one person,” he added.
“Our job is to fill the void. In the last 10 years, the sport has not grown as the focus was just on one man. The point is we need to build competition. We now have a unique chance to rebuild and grow our sport. Now we have a chance to make a difference, grow our sport and not just grow yourself.”
