Usain Bolt has record shattered again as controversial new rule change considered

Usain Bolt, long hailed as the king of sprinting, has seen yet another one of his records fall. The Jamaican icon, celebrated as the fastest man on Earth for his world records in both the 100m and 200m, now faces new threats - not just from emerging talents, but from a game-changing technology that could transform the sport forever.

South African Akani Simbine, who earned a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at Paris 2024, has now completed an extraordinary 11 consecutive years running sub-10-second 100m races, overtaking previous benchmark of 10 straight seasons. The 31-year-old achieved this milestone at the Botswana Grand Prix earlier this month, blazing through the finish in 9.90 seconds - the quickest time recorded globally so far in 2025.

It's another setback for Bolt, 38, who previously lost Jamaica's 4x100m relay world record - set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics - after teammate Nesta Carter's doping violation led to the team's disqualification. Several of Bolt's junior records have also been surpassed by rising stars and Nickecoy Bramwell, with more possibly in jeopardy.

A groundbreaking could further threaten Bolt's legendary 9.58-second 100m world record and his 19.19-second 200m record, both set back in 2009. Created by Feldspar, a company based near Cambridge, this digital 'smart' track is said to improve sprint times by as much as 20 per cent, with analysts suggesting it could allow runners to achieve sub-nine-second 100m sprints - a feat once thought impossible.

The project, led by former sprinter Alvina Chen, features integrated sensors that deliver real-time performance feedback and a surface that provides more energy return than the tracks used since the 1968 Olympics.

Darren Campbell, British Athletics' head of sprints and relays and a recent addition to Feldspar's team, hails it as a breakthrough comparable to the technological advancements seen in . "All of a sudden, nine seconds doesn't seem crazy," Campbell remarked, sparking heated debates about whether such innovations dilute the sport's authenticity.

Athletes like Uzoh Herbert, who have trialled the surface, call it "revolutionary," highlighting its cushioning and dynamic energy feedback that helps conserve strength and boost speed.

Ongoing discussions with World Athletics hint at potential approval, intensifying concerns that Bolt's longstanding records could tumble if the super track becomes mainstream.

Critics argue that it could devalue historic achievements, with traditionalists worrying that technology may overshadow pure athletic ability. Nevertheless, Bolt - who hung up his spikes in 2017 - appears unfazed, even backing Jamaican star Oblique Seville as a future torchbearer.

For now, the track and field world watches closely, wondering if stars like Noah Lyles or Gout Gout might seize the opportunity to surpass the 'Lightning Bolt.'