'I got a feeling like no other' — Kishane Thompson reveals how watching sprint icon Usain Bolt inspired career in track

In a remarkable journey from childhood inspiration to Olympic podium, Jamaican sprinter the 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist in the men’s 100m, has recently opened up about how watching Jamaican sprint icon fueled his track career

Thompson’s path to Olympic success is inseparably linked to Bolt, who not only set numerous records but also defined Jamaican sprinting on the global stage

For Thompson, Bolt’s historic win in the 100m final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was a defining moment

At just seven years old, Thompson sat in front of the TV, witnessing Bolt’s unprecedented 9.69-second run, a feat that sent shockwaves across the world

Recalling that moment in a Netflix’s season 2 of the docuseries, Sprint, Thompson his first time experience witnessing the world’s fastest man ever

Streaming platform Netflix has finally premiered the docuseries Sprint, following the Olympic journey of renowned athletes including Olympic champion Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas and other Olympic headliners.

“I got a feeling like no other. The goosebumps and thrill. seeing a human being reach that height, a pinnacle of greatness. I knew that I should aspire to be greater than that,» expressed Thompson.

As Bolt retired in 2016, he left an enormous legacy and, for Jamaican male athletes, a challenging void to fill on the Olympic stage.

Yet, as the world would soon discover, Thompson was on a trajectory to carry that legacy forward.

His journey took a significant leap in June 2024, when he clocked a blistering 9.77 seconds at the Jamaican Olympic trials, a performance that served as a clear signal to his competitors and fans alike.

In Paris, Thompson entered the 100m final with fierce determination, facing off against a world-class field.

In a race that left fans at the edge of their seats, he crossed the finish line alongside American sprinter Noah Lyles, both recording times of 9.79 seconds.

Kishane Thompson is still unhappy with his second place finish in the final of the 100 meter race at the Paris 2024 Olympic games, where he narrowly lost to Noah Lyles, who the Jamaican believes he is 'actually faster than'.

The gold, however, went to Lyles by a razor-thin margin. Thompson’s silver-medal performance placed him just ahead of Fred Kerley, the American sprinter who took bronze with 9.81 seconds.

Although Thompson’s accolades have yet to match the legendary status of his idol, his performance in Paris offers a glimpse of his potential.