Maurice Greene, the celebrated American sprinter and former 100-meter world record holder, has pinpointed a significant misstep he believes modern sprinters are making by trying to imitate Usain Bolt’s unique running style.
Greene, who once set a world record at 9.79 seconds, argues that athletes are hampering their own progress by emulating Bolt rather than refining their own individual strengths.
Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, Greene was a powerhouse in sprinting, earning four Olympic medals and five World Championship titles. His most memorable achievement came at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, where he pushed through a quadriceps injury to clinch his third consecutive 100-meter world title with a time of 9.82 seconds. This performance solidified his legacy, placing him alongside sprinting icons such as Carl Lewis.
In retirement, Greene has observed changes in modern sprinting, particularly in the way sprinters approach their training. In a Citius Mag interview from last May, he voiced his disappointment over how current athletes tend to copy Bolt’s technique without taking into account their own physical distinctions. “Usain is 6’5” and has a turnover speed like mine, so he is turning over and covering more ground,” Greene pointed out.
“For someone that tall, it would normally take much longer to build up speed, but it didn’t take him longer. At 10, 20, or 30 meters, he is up with everyone else.” Greene emphasized that Bolt’s uniqueness lay in his ability to match the turnover speed of shorter sprinters, despite his height, which gave him an exceptional stride length few could match.
Bolt’s athletic prowess was developed over years spent in the 400 meters before focusing on the 200 and eventually the 100 meters. This foundation endowed him with endurance that enabled him to maintain top-end speed over longer distances and fully leverage his stride.
“Trying to copy what Bolt did is misguided,” Greene stated, urging today’s sprinters to concentrate on their own strengths. “You cannot look at what he has done. You have to look at what you can do to try and make the most of every step and come out on top. You cannot do it the same way he did. You do not have the levers.”
Greene’s insights serve as a reminder that Bolt’s success stemmed from his exceptional physical traits as well as his training, and that for today’s athletes, striving for Bolt’s records may demand a more customized approach.
