VIDEO: Usain Bolt Returns to Tracks for First Ever Race Since Retirement Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020

Usain Bolt decided to call it on his illustrious running career after dominating the tracks at three consecutive Olympics, bagging 8 gold medals in the process. It’s been five years since the Jamaican retired after the 2017 World Championships and he hasn’t looked back to the tracks since. 

However, he decided to make one exception and did actually put on his spikes again for a one-time race. Bolt returned to the tracks to run an 800m race as part of a promotion for CarMax. His opponent was a CarMax customer who although didn’t run along with him, got an instant offer on her mobile as he completed two laps of the track. 

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after competing in the Men’s 200m Semifinals on Day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

It was a take it or leave it deal and she had to accept the deal and go through with it by the time Bolt finished the race. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist himself had been training for it and fans were eager to see if he’s still got it. 

Although most spectators expected him to make a speedy finish, Usain Bolt kept a constant relaxed pace throughout the event. Rather than making that quick acceleration we know he is capable of in the last 200m or 100m, he kept himself relaxed and finished the race at what to him would be a jogging pace. 

to much ????in mine mind
Bolt’s first 800m show finished in 2:41, if i hadnt timed error pic.twitter.com/FIBmNtvDV8

— Muge Yi (@Loong_Knight) July 13, 2021

Usain Bolt lost to the CarMax customer by about 3 seconds

Bolt clocked in at 2 minutes and 40 seconds (unofficial) , which is a whole minute behind the world record of 1:40:91 set in 2012 by David Rudisha. He lost out to the CarMax customer, who availed of the offer just 3 seconds before he hit the finish line. 

“In my mind, I thought it would be easier. It’s not,” Bolt was quoted saying by olympics.com after the race. “Hats off to the 800m runner. But for me, I enjoy a challenge.”

Was I a little rusty or are online offers from @CarMax just really Usainly Fast? #UsainlyFastOffers #ad pic.twitter.com/dOumwJ2Cr7

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 13, 2021

Bolt did do some training to get back into a little bit of form before the run. He was ready to make the distance and did just that, but was a lot more exhausted than fans expected. 

I have seen the promise land my peeps are this 800m pic.twitter.com/1RJecyPzAg

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 13, 2021

“I did a lot of cardio,” Bolt said. “I think I needed to do a little bit more.” 

Sometimes we forget just how far ahead Usain Bolt was of everybody pic.twitter.com/RzaMysjG17

— K (@Khulaniii) July 14, 2021

Although he did technically make a return to the tracks, Bolt made it abundantly clear that he has no intention to return to professional running. “No, no this is a one-time thing,” he said when posed with the question. 

Read more: Triple Jump Champion Christian Taylor Opens Up After Missing Tokyo Olympics 2021

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