50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
2. Usain Bolt, Track and Field.
We can safely say Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is the only Summer Olympian on this list that is still very much in his prime. At just 29 years old, Bolt has won six Olympic golds, leaving his mark — and displaying some legendary showmanship — at both the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games.
In each of his previous Olympics, Bolt has brought home a trio of golds to his native Jamaica, defending his title in the 100 m, the 200 m, and 4×100 m relay en route to becoming the first ever to win six sprinting golds in the modern era. In Rio, Bolt will have a chance to further set himself apart from the Track & Field pack, and solidify his place in the all-time pantheon of Olympic greats.
As if his Olympic runs weren’t absurd enough, Bolt is the only person to simultaneously hold world records in both the 100 m and the 200 m. Indeed, not only did Bolt become the first sprinter to “double-double” by winning the 100 m and 200 m in back-to-back Olympiads; he was the first to complete the “triple-double,” throwing in 4×100 m golds for good measure.
Bolt has said that he plans to retire from sprinting after the 2017 World Championships in London, so this means that 2016 Rio Games may be Bolt’s last chance to add to his already fantastic legend.
Next: 1. Michael Phelps.