Like Ali, like Usain Bolt: Lord Coe News

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Like Ali, like Usain Bolt: Lord Coe

By Daily Sports on August 1, 2017

Usain Bolt is a genius and has had as big an impact on athletics as Muhammad Ali did on boxing, says Lord Coe.

Sprint legend Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medallist, is set to retire after the World Championships in London, which begin on Friday.

Coe likened the Jamaican to former world heavyweight champion and one of sport's most iconic figures Ali.

"He is the best sprinter of all time," said Coe, who is president of the sport's world governing body the IAAF."

Usain Bolt is a genius. I can't think, other than Muhammad Ali, of anybody that has so had an impact inside or beyond their sport.

"You can have the Friday-night-in-the-pub conversations about who is best footballer or tennis player, but there is no argument about this guy in sprinting."

The 30-year-old Jamaican won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold at the past three Olympic Games - Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.

However, his unprecedented 'triple triple' of nine gold medals was downgraded to eight after Jamaican team-mate Nesta Carter, part of the quartet who won the 4x100m in Beijing, tested positive for a banned substance. Carter has appealed against the decision.

Bolt is also an 11-time World Championship gold medallist, and has won the 100m title three times.

"What we will miss is the personality," Coe added. "We do want athletes with personality."

It's nice to have someone who has a view and fills the room and fills a stadium. You are not going to replace Muhammad Ali, but great athletes come along.

"Coe, who won Olympic 1500m gold in 1980 and 1984, said it would be "virtuous" for both Jamaica and global athletics to keep Bolt involved in the sport after his retirement.

•Photo shows Usain Bolt.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 1, 2017