Let’s hope Usain Bolt comes back here to rule the Worlds, writes Christine Ohuruogu

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after winning the Men's 100m event at the IAAF World challenge Zlata Tretra (Golden Spike) athletics tournament in Ostrava
MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images
Christine Ohuruogu17 June 2016

Will we ever see the likes of Usain Bolt again? Athletics owes him a real debt of thanks — he is the one star in the sport who transcends track and field. He is in a league of his own, a true global icon. In years to come, he will be talked about in the same breath as Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Pele.

I have known Usain for a long time and I spent two winters training with his group in Jamaica. We won Olympic gold medals in 2008 in Beijing (I won one, he won three!), we’ve travelled together to many competitions and it’s crazy to see the reception he gets everywhere.

This week he announced he would compete in the 200m at the Muller Anniversary Games in London just two weeks before the Olympics and, based on how he ran last week in Kingston, I know he will be in scintillating form.

British sprinters Adam Gemili and Zharnel Hughes will be looking to challenge Bolt in London but will need to be at the top of their game to get anywhere close. Many people will be hoping to get as close as I was when Usain won the 100m at the London Olympics in 2012.

My 400m final was on the same night and I had only just finished my own lap of honour following my silver medal. To hear 80,000 people go silent made the hairs on my neck stand up and I was almost able to touch the athletes as they flew through the line.

But my favourite memory of Usain was off the track. We were travelling back from a TV interview and as we left fans had gathered to get a photo, autograph or even just a glimpse.

He stopped and signed and posed and waved until security said we had to leave. We drove off and had to stop at some traffic lights after five minutes.

As we did, one young boy ran up alongside the car still carrying his autograph book. Usain just said, “Wow! This dude is still with us!” and told the driver to stop. He got out, joked about the boy’s speed, signed his book and took a photo with him.

To say he had made this boy’s day would be an understatement.

This summer could be the last time we see him in Britain although the hope is he returns for next year’s World Championships.

To see Usain Bolt take on the fastest men in the world at the Muller Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on Friday July 22, visit britishathletics.org.uk

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