By Ameya Bhise,Karishma Jain,News18

Copyright news18

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt is back in India. In an exclusive interview with Network18 Executive Editor, Ameya Bhise, the world’s fastest man spoke about athletics, pressure, Muhammad Ali, Sachin Tendulkar, and why he keeps coming back to Mumbai for something as simple and as unforgettable as lamb curry.
This marks Bolt’s second trip to India, nearly a decade after his maiden visit in 2014.
When Usain Bolt, the man who made the world fall in love with sprinting, thinks of India, his memory runs not to stadiums or sprints but to food. “You know what I tried and I loved? Lamb curry,” he laughed, recalling the first time he tasted it in Mumbai. “It was fun, yeah. I loved it.”
That easy charm is what has made Bolt more than just a record-holder. In a career that turned athletics into a prime-time spectacle, he combined speed with showmanship, his lightning pose as famous as the 9.58 seconds he clocked in the 100 metres, still the fastest time ever run.
And in Mumbai, where cricket usually dominates every conversation, Bolt was happy to talk about his love for football, his roots in track, and the thrill of competition.
‘If Athletes Do Well, Track Will Grow In India’
Asked if a global icon like himself could help tilt India’s sports balance away from cricket, Bolt drew on his own Jamaican experience. “In Jamaica, football and cricket were bigger because of all the earlier stars. But if the athletes start doing well, then track will naturally become bigger in the country,” he said.
The same cricket coach who once spotted his running talent helped him switch paths. “I was young and really good at it. My cricket coach introduced me to running, and I just continued. That’s what really started it.”
‘I Wanted It More Than Everybody Else’
What about the weight of expectation, the pressure of carrying an entire nation’s hopes? Bolt smiled at the memory. “I explained to people that I wanted it more than everybody else. People talk about pressure, but I realised I wanted to do it more than they wanted it for me. Once I shifted that mindset, it became easier.”
It was this clarity that allowed him to enjoy the sport while staying competitive. “At first I said, I want to do this for Jamaica. But later I thought, I want to do it for myself. And then it became easier, because I knew I had to train, I had to work hard.”
Will The 9.58 Fall?
Even today, when younger sprinters inch close to his record, Bolt remains confident that the magic mark will stand. “Not yet,” he said. “I think the 100m will be around for a long while. When people start running 9.61 or 9.62, then we can talk. But right now, it’s safe.”
For him, the real excitement lies in competition itself. “I love seeing when eight people line up and six or seven of them can win the race. That’s the thrill. And it’s more stressful watching than running.”
From Ali To Sachin: Bolt’s Rapid Fire
A quick rapid-fire revealed lighter shades of the sprinter’s personality:

Favourite event: “The 200 metres is my favourite.”
Sporting hero: “Muhammad Ali.”
Favourite Indian cricketer: “Sachin, for sure.”
Better dancer — you or Chris Gayle? “We’re both good, but I’d say me.”
Gold medals or world records? “Gold medals.”
An athlete who reminds you of your younger self? “I don’t know anybody, really.”
A new nickname (other than Lightning Bolt)? After some thought: “Speedboat.”

‘I Love Seeing Athletes Show Personality’
What keeps Bolt smiling today is not just athletes breaking records, but the personality they bring to the track. “I saw some young athletes run in India, and they were really showing their personality, having a good time, enjoying themselves. That’s what I love to see.”
Bolt, whose name is synonymous with speed and world records, concluded his career with eight Olympic gold medals and 11 World Championships first-place finishes, a feat unmatched by any track and field athlete.