The 100-meter dash is extremely beautiful to watch, and seeing how fast these athletes run is very exciting.
Usain Bolt has been named the fastest athlete in the world. Not only did he run faster than everyone else, but his finishing celebration made it all the more interesting.
Now that he has retired, we are keen to see whether any of the other 4 athletes in our list will take his place as the fastest in the world. Read on to find out more about the five fastest track sprinters.
Usain Bolt
Record time: 9.58 – 100 meters. Country of Origin: Jamaica. Wins: 8-time Olympic Gold medalist and 14-time Athletic Championship medallist.
Of course, this is the first name on our list. In fact, Usain Bolt is the first name that comes to mind whenever people are discussing the 100-meter dash. He has broken the record for 100 meters on three different occasions, and in May 2008, he recorded a time of 9.72 seconds.
He retired in 2017, with a record of 8 Gold medals and many other notable awards.
Tyson Gay
Record time: 9.69 – 100 meters. Country of Origin: United States. Wins: 4-time World Athletic Championship medalist.
This is another famous name in the world of sprinting. In the 2005 IAAF Competitions, Tyson Gay won gold in the 200-meter race. He followed this with additional gold medals in the 4X100 relays, and 100-meter competitions.
Yohan Blake
Record time: 9.69 – 100 meters. Country of Origin: Jamaica. Wins: 4-time World Athletic Championship medallist.
We came to learn of Yohan Blake in the 2011 World Championships where he won a gold medal in the 4x100 relays and the 100-meter competition. At just 21 years old, he became the youngest world champion in the 100 meters sprint.
During the 2012 Olympic Games, he won a gold medal for the 4x100 relay. His team had the best time and still hold the world record today. Blake also won the silver medals for the 200 and 100 meter runs. This ties him in second place with Tyson Gay.
Asafa Powell
Record time: 9.72 – 100 meters. Country of Origin: Jamaica. Wins: Olympic Medalist and 5-time Athletic Championship medalist
This athlete has been very successful with the 4x100 relays, winning Gold in the 2016 Olympic Championships and the 2009 and 2015 World Championships. Asafa also won silver in the 2007 championships, and in the 100-meter sprints. He won bronze medals in 2007 and 2009.
Justin Gatlin
Record time: 9.74 – 100 meters. Country of Origin: United States. Wins: 5-time Olympic Medalist and also a 10-time World Athletics medalist.
Justin Gatlin won gold in the 2004 Olympics for the 100 meters dash. His time was 9.84 seconds. He won the bronze medal for the 200 meters sprint and the 4x100 relay competition. He also won gold medals in 2005, for the 100-meter sprints and 200 meters in Helsinki.
In fact, he made history as the only athlete in the history of sprinting to ever win gold in both events during the same championship. Unfortunately, in 2006, he was found positive for doping and received a 4-year ban from competing in track and field.
However, he returned in 2010 and won a bronze medal for the 100 meters rush. He has also won many medals while participating in multiple world championship events.
Conclusion
These four track sprinters, other than Usain Bolt, are all currently competing to be named the fastest man in the world after Bolt's retirement.
We are watching keenly to see who shall take his place. But nothing will ever beat seeing the signature hand salute of Bolt after every win.
