Usain Bolt becomes nostalgic as he reflects on his honors as the track world gears up for the World Athletics Awards

Usain Bolt led a legendary career as a track and field athlete, winning multiple Olympic and World Championships gold medals. For his successes on the track, the Jamaican was recognized by World Athletics and was awarded the Rising Star in 2002, and won the World Athlete of the Year award a total of six times.

Now, with the 2024 World Athletics Awards ceremony just around the corner, the sprinter shared some snaps from the event's previous editions, including ones where he won the Rising Star award, the Athlete of the Year award, and the President’s award.

Bolt first established himself as one to watch out for in 2002, when he stormed to four gold medals at the U17 Carifta Games and the U17 CAC Junior Championships, and won the 200m World Junior Championships. For his accomplishments, he was awarded the World Athletics Rising Star award.

Later, at the peak of his sprinting career, the 38-year-old would go on to win the World Athletics Athlete of the Year award a total of six times, including 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. In 2008, he made his Olympic debut, winning both the 100m and 200m sprints.

A year later, he won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m titles at the 2009 World Championships, setting his world records of 9.58s and 19.19s in the 100 and 200m on his way to gold.

2011 saw Usain Bolt successfully defend his 200m and 4x100m crown at the World Championships, and 2012 saw him clinch three gold medals at the London Olympics. In 2013, the sprinter repeated his ‘three-peat’ at the World Championships, and accomplished the same feat at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Now, reflecting on all his achievements on the track, Bolt indulged in some nostalgia as he shared pictures of himself at previous World Athletics Awards ceremonies on Instagram, writing,

“Tomorrow is the @worldathletics Awards 2024! Some memories of being awarded Rising Star in 2002, Male Athlete of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016 and President's Award in 2017. Congrats to all the finalists this year. #worldathleticsawards #worldathletics.”

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Usain Bolt attends the 2024 GQ Men of the Year event

Usain Bolt at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2024 (Image Source: Getty)

While Usain Bolt has stepped away from the world of track and field, the Jamaican continues to be in the spotlight. Most recently, he attended the GQ Men of the Year event in late November, impressing fans with a golden Bottega Veneta fit.

At the event, Bolt shared a toast for rising English football stars Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, saying,

“I have the honour talking about these two wonderful young men, great talent — two lads born in Greater Manchester. How many reach the final of a major tournament? What they [have already achieved] in their career is incredible. What they are going to achieve is spectacular.”

Usain Bolt is not a stranger to GQ, and back in November 2016, the Jamaican appeared on the magazine's cover after his phenomenal campaign at the 2016 Olympics.