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Multiple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has revealed his favourite 200m talent heading to Paris 2024 Olympic Games between Noah Lyles and Erriyon Knighton. However, he believes none is touching his World Record.
Track legend Usain Bolt has approved the speedster that has his attention, talented enough to be a record-breaking future performer between Noah Lyles and Erriyon Knighton.
The 37-year-old hung up his spikes in 2017 but still keeps a watchful eye over the developing prospects on the track. He spoke on the present generation of talents ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics, during an Obione Podcast chat with legendary Nigerian footballer Mikel Obi.
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In the insightful interview, Bolt is convinced his sprint World Records (WRs) of 9.58s and 19.19s will not be broken anytime soon but picked Knighton as someone he has been keeping tabs on for some time after the 20-year-old surpassed his 200m WRs at U20 and U18 levels.
"I don't see it (any current sprinter beating his world record), said the eight-time Olympic gold medallist and eleven-time world champion.
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"At times, you can see talent where you go, 'Oh if he develops, he's going to'. I just don't see it," he continued, turning his attention to Knighton, saying: "There is one kid who had my attention for a while. His name is Knighton, from the States. He ran 19.40-something. He's only just turning 20.
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07:36 - 20.07.2024
Usain Bolt shuts down Noah Lyles's bullish character speaking with Nigerian legendary footballer Mikel Obi
Usain Bolt believes Noah Lyles's bullish character would have been swallowed up during his era as he reflected on his career with Nigerian legendary footballer Mikel Obi.
"So he was pretty good. But it's all about developing the talent. You have to find a good coach, someone to nurture and understand how to nurture the talent and help to build that talent. When I saw him, I thought, 'This kid really impressed me'."
At age 18, Knighton won a 200m bronze medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, becoming the youngest-ever individual sprint medalist in history, then backed it with a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
The American youngster's world U18 best in the 200m is 19.84s, set on June 27, 2021, and U20 WR is 19.69s, set on June 26, 2022.
In addition, his Personal Best (PB) of 19.49s set in 2022 makes him the fifth-fastest athlete in history over the distance, only surpassed by Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Noah Lyles, and Michael Johnson.
Knighton's talent and speed at such a young age are classified as generational - a reason Bolt believes with the right coach and management can develop into something terrific and attack his 200m record in the future.
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"I think that Erriyon Knighton if he has the right coach will be terrific over 200m. He will be a great one," said Bolt, in his first declaration last year about the youngster's promise.
The prodigy also admitted his dream of breaking the legend's records in the future, saying: "Anybody's going to want to beat the record of the all-time great.
With Paris 2024 Olympics in sight, Knighton is one of the favourites for a medal, but going for the ultimate gold medal prize will be an uphill battle against the undefeated champion in the event in three years - Noah Lyles.
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