Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt credits his decision to avoid the NCAA system as pivotal to his historic career, warning that many world-class talents get “burned out” by the demanding U.S. collegiate track circuit. In an eye-opening reflection, Bolt revealed how Asafa Powell’s trailblazing choice to train in Jamaica with coach Stephen Francis—breaking the 100m world record in 2005—proved Caribbean athletes didn’t need American colleges to reach the top.
“Asafa changed everything,” Bolt said. “When he skipped the NCAA, stayed home, and broke the record, it showed us we could dominate without leaving Jamaica.” The sprint legend noted how Powell’s success inspired a generation—including himself—to develop at local institutions like UTech, UWI, or GC Foster College instead. While exceptions like Veronica Campbell-Brown thrived (thanks to early Adidas sponsorship freedom), Bolt believes many Jamaicans in the NCAA were overworked: “Schools run you hard. Some never recover.”
The NCAA’s dual-season structure, Bolt argues, prioritizes roster quotas over athlete longevity: “Too many talents shut down after college because their bodies are spent.” Though he acknowledges some thrive in the system, Bolt stands by his path—avoiding regimented programs preserved his explosive style. “If I’d gone NCAA, would you have seen 9.58 or 19.19? Probably not.”
His advice to young athletes? “Know your worth. If you enter that system, protect your body—because not every program will.”
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Why It Matters: Bolt’s candid take reignites debate on whether the NCAA’s grind sacrifices potential legends—and how Jamaica’s homegrown model produces unstoppable sprinters. 🌍⚡ #TrackAndFieldTruths
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