Usain Bolt was challenged to 100m race by sporting icon after being told he's 'afraid' to face him

A sporting icon once challenged sprinting legend Usain Bolt to a 100-metre race.

Bolt, 38, is one of the most successful athletes of all time and arguably the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen.

During his illustrious career, Bolt managed to win eight Olympic golds. He also won 11 gold medals in the World Championships and one Commonwealth Games gold.

In addition, Bolt is currently the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m, having set the stunning times during his prime years.

Many sprinters have since tried and failed to get close to Bolt's world records.

Back in 2024, Bolt was challenged to a 100m race by cricket icon and fellow Jamaican star, Chris Gayle.

The former batting all-rounder jokingly claimed that Bolt was 'scared' of racing against him on the track.

In a video posted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Gayle was heard saying: "Till this day, he’s still afraid of me. Doesn’t want to see me on a 100m track.

"Of course I’m a sprinter. All Usain Bolt will be seeing is a lot of dust and the Universe Boss just going down the stretch."

Bolt replied: "We all know Chris can’t run. We have seen him. We know Chris doesn’t do quick singles or anything. We’re not worried about Chris."

Aside from Gayle, Bolt was once asked whether he could beat British long-distance runner Mo Farah in a race.

The conversation started with Bolt being asked the time it might take him to run one mile.

He replied: "I don’t know. I really don’t want to know. For me, the mile is no joke. For years, I almost had that run with Mo Farah because people wanted to see it. Whether it was an 800 or 600, it was difficult but I could never do a mile."

Bolt was then asked: "Everyone has a price tag. What would your price tag have been for that showdown?"

In response, the Jamaican said: "I would’ve had to have been in good shape. If I was in good shape, I probably have tried the 600. I wouldn’t have gone to 800. Because we used to run a few 600s in training."