JAMAICAN sprint legend Usain Bolt says the country’s rising sprint stars, Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake, can become the top male sprinters in the world but they must train hard and be disciplined in order to achieve this feat.

Bolt, the world record holder in the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds), told the Jamaica Observer that he is impressed with what he has seen from Sevillle in particular, as well as the other male sprinters, and he is encouraging them to stay focused and believe in themselves and their abilities.

“They just need to train hard and continue working and believing in themselves,” said Bolt. “I just watched Oblique [Gibson McCook Relays] and he did well — and I know that under Coach [Glen)]Mills’ guidance he is going to continue improving and do better,” he said.

“I think that anything is possible but you have to believe in yourself, so that is the key thing. And seeing the talent in Jamaica over the years, I know the possibilities are there — it is just the determination and how bad you want it will determine if you are going to get there,” Bolt said.

The 21-year-old Seville, who exploded on the scene last season, finished fourth in the final of the men’s 100m event at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last year. He was second-fastest Jamaican in the world last season with a personal best time of 9.86 in the 100m, which he achieved at the National Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston in May.

The former Calabar runner represented Jamaica at the Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing fourth in the 100m semi-final. He also formed part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team that ran fourth in the final, in his first senior championships appearance.

Like Seville, Blake also had an outstanding season last year when he ran a personal best time of 9.93 in the 100m, which he achieved last season at the National Championships in June.

In the past a number of American sprinters have indicated that they plan to break Bolt’s 200m record, including Noah Lyes and a number of US quarter-milers such as world champion Michael Norman who has moved away from the 400m to the 100m and 200m this season in order to challenge both records this season.

“That is what records are there for [to be challenged and broken]. And if you have an improved spike then, why not?” Bolt reasoned. “They [those wanting to break records] have been saying it for years so let’s see what happens,” he added.

Bolt pointed out that he is not surprised a lot of athletes are now stepping to the 100m and 200m events because these have been blue riband races over the years.

“The 100 and 200 metres are more attractive and so I guess those are the top events overall, but back in the day the 400m was a top event. But if everybody comes down to the 100 and 200 metres then they will be the prime events,” he stated.