Usain Bolt Expresses Admiration for Mondo Duplantis as Athletics’ Top Star

Track and field legend Usain Bolt is placing his admiration squarely on two standout athletes: pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. In a recent interview with Esquire Middle East, Bolt emphasized them over sprinters like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, whom many would associate with athletics stardom.

In his own words, Bolt declared, “I think the top male and female athletes are Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. They have been winning consistently and breaking records for several years. They always bring their ‘A game’ when it matters.”

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, at just 26, is already a two-time Olympic champion in the challenging 400-meter hurdles. Not only has she consistently shattered her personal bests, but she also recently set a world record at the Paris Olympics, clocking an astonishing 50.37 seconds. Her versatility in the sport is equally impressive, with a World Championship gold in the flat 400 meters with an American record time to her name.

Mondo Duplantis, hailing from Sweden, has also redefined his discipline. As a double Olympic champion and three-time world champion, his striking career has been highlighted by his pursuit of pole vaulting excellence. He has astonishingly broken the world record nine times since 2020, with his current record standing at a breathtaking 6.26 meters.

For Usain Bolt, whose prowess on the track has set records that last a lifetime, the ability of athletes like Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone to excel under pressure defines their greatness. While Bolt acknowledges the captivating performances of sprinters like Lyles and Richardson, he firmly believes that Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone represent the pinnacle of sports excellence for their remarkable consistency and execution in their respective fields.