Back in 2017 at the World Championships, the world watched in horror as the GOAT of athletics collapsed onto the track, holding on to his left hamstring, injured, and unable to race. That was the end of his track and field career. “Usain Bolt is limping down the track; it hasn’t ended as he would have liked,” the commentator said. While this was a tragic end to an illustrious career, things have gotten worse for the legend today. Ironically, Usain Bolt, who was once the fastest man globally, no longer runs and finds climbing stairs challenging.
“No, I mostly do gym workouts. I’m not a fan, but I think now that I’ve been out for a while, I have to actually start running. Because when I walk up stairs, I get out of breath. I think when I start working on it fully again, I will probably have to do some laps just to get my breathing right,” Bolt said in an interview. They also talked about how Bolt said he hangs out with these kids and leaves when they annoy him. While the latter part brought amusement from fans, his current condition remains a sight to forget.
Many fans are stressing how bad it is for Bolt. One fan commented, “He might want to see a doctor as he shouldn’t run out of breath when climbing stairs.” One comment read, “That can’t breath part is crazy.” 8 Olympic gold medals in short sprinting, and now having problems with basic activities? It sounds concerning. Back in 2019, after a brief stint in soccer after his track and field career, the Olympian announced he was done with sports, and he has been like that ever since. He’s eyeing a football return, though in a new role.
His love of soccer always amazes the fans, and he often arrives in Manchester to see his favorite team play. A lifelong Manchester United fan, Bolt had once revealed ambitions to play the beautiful game. However, that move failed to materialize, and he took his talents to Down Under.
On September 18, 2025, Baller League USA announced Bolt would serve as a team manager in their new indoor football league, set to launch in Miami in January 2026. It would be great to see Bolt as a manager. His supporters, though, are particularly anxious about his health, as his difficulty breathing while performing the easy act of climbing stairs is alarming.
Usain Bolt’s condition makes fans anxious
A fan even said, “That Achilles injury after a certain age ain’t no joke man.” Bolt suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 2024 Soccer Aid for UNICEF charity match, and he said in an Instagram post, “Ruptured Achilles but done know we are a warrior.” However, suffering an Achilles injury at age 37 takes a toll on your body.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
A fan went as far as to say, “NYHA stage III“. NYHA Stage III describes a level of heart failure where everyday life starts to feel challenging. People feel fine when resting, but simple activities, like climbing the stairs, can leave them breathless, tired, or with a racing heart.. Fortunately, the Jamaican was not diagnosed with this or any of the stages of NYHA.”I cant be the only one confused on how some athletes like Frank Gore and Alex Smith can come back from devastating injuries and get back to playing football but Usain cant/wont test his Achilles to the point his cardio has suffered drastically,” read another comment.
Frank Gore overcame a torn ACL in college to enjoy an impressive 16-year career as an NFL running back. Alex Smith faced a devastating compound leg fracture in 2018, complicated by severe infections. Yet, he battled back to return in 2020 and earned the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. But the difference is that their injuries were largely structural or repairable with surgery, while Bolt ruptured his Achilles. Even after surgical repair, the tendon rarely regains 100% elasticity.
While the fans are concerned, they do not forget to pay due respect to the legend. A fan said, “Every great reaches a point where their legend is recorded in sports lore but no longer produced by them. To those legends, we say “Thank You”. Thank you for the highlight reels and for showing us what’s possible and for creating the bar for the next generation of future legends.”