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Bolt has revealed how he finally manage to overcome the anguish he experienced from false starting before the final of the 100m at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu, and has sent an imploring message to modern athletes.
Legendary former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt recently shared insights into how he moved past the painful disqualification from the 100-meter final at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Bolt was penalised under a stringent false start rule introduced in 2010, which left him unable to defend his title in the event he had dominated since the 2008 Olympics.
Reflecting on that moment, Bolt recalls the instant dread when he realized his error, as another shot fired shortly after he launched from the blocks.
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His disappointment was clear: Bolt yanked his shirt over his face in frustration before whipping it in the air, leaving the track while Jamaica's rising star, Yohan Blake, seized the moment. Blake went on to win the title in 9.92 seconds, ahead of American Walter Dix and veteran Kim Collins from Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Thirteen years later, Bolt opened up about the physical and mental challenges that led to his false start. He revealed that a season plagued with hamstring injuries, and later issues with his ankle and knees, had affected his confidence.
Even with medical intervention, his doubts lingered. “I was worried, ‘Am I going to start well? Am I ready?’” he admitted. Bolt recognized that his mental state played a role in his unusual pre-race error, highlighting the importance of keeping a clear head to avoid mistakes.
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Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Bolt shared advice with modern athletes on maintaining focus at the starting line. His playful pre-race dances, he explained, were more than showmanship—they were tactics to keep his mind free of distractions.
“I try to think about random things... what I’ll have for dinner or maybe a video game,” he said. For Bolt, the key is keeping the mind relaxed and away from thoughts that could interfere with performance.
“Once you start overthinking, you start making mistakes,” he added, noting that athletes often get lost in technical details.
Bolt emphasised the importance of staying present and letting go of worry when on the starting line: “The moment the starter says on your marks, I would take a deep breath and clear my head.”
Today, Bolt’s advice serves as a reminder to athletes that staying mentally grounded can make all the difference, a lesson from a champion who overcame his setbacks to remain one of the most celebrated sprinters in history.
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