Despite recent dominance by Americans in the men’s 100m at major championships, sprint legend Usain Bolt believes Jamaican men’s sprinters have their best chance yet of finishing on the podium at the Paris Olympics this summer.

After winning eight Olympic gold medals and claiming 11 World Championship titles between 2008 and 2016, the 37-year-old Jamaican hung up his spikes in 2017.

However, since his retirement, the country’s fortunes in the shortest outdoor sprint took a major blow as no Jamaican man has won an individual medal. Americans Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles have won gold medals at the World Championships and Italy’s Marcel Jacobs took the Olympic crown at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

There have been positive signs over the last two years with the likes of Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, Rohan Watson, Kadrian Goldson and Ryiem Forde all clocking sub-10 seconds. Veteran Yohan Blake, who is Jamaica’s last individual medallist outside of Bolt, is also in the running for a spot in Paris.

Bolt told the Jamaica Observer that based on what he’s seen, the young Jamaican stars can break the duck this year.

“I think the 100m is wide open for the men. I think no one has really run a fast time this season, it’s still wide open. We have a few months to go, so it’s all about just being dedicated and executing and making sure you rest, making sure [you] sacrifice and [you are] working hard, so it should be fun,” he said.

The world’s fastest man, who still holds the Olympic record of 9.63 set at the London 2012 Games, is urging his compatriots to be mentally ready to deal with the high-pressure situation.

“Why it was easy [for me] was because I prepared. I think if you train hard and prepare youself and you know you’re all-in, there’s nothing to worry about because there’s nothing you can do in the moment other than execute. So, if you prepared and you know you put in the work, [just] go out and execute because I’m sure your coach has talked to you about muscle memory, so go out there and your body will carry you through as long as you work hard,” said Bolt.

He’s also backing Seville, guided by his former coach Glen Mills, to break into the top three after finishing fourth at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.

“I think over the past years [the male sprinters have] been struggling, but I do think Oblique has been keeping it alive. He has made all the finals so far; it’s just to get into the top three and I think it’s just consistency. One thing with Oblique is he always gets injured. But hopefully he can be consistent this season and keep on the right path. He’ll be fine,” Bolt said.

Bolt competed at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Amid myriad restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic he wasn’t in the stands for the Tokyo Olympics, but is to attend the Paris Games, his first time at the event as a spectator.

He was unveiled as a brand ambassador for global beer giant Red Stripe on Wednesday during the company’s ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ promotion at the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew. Red Stripe announced that Bolt along with 10 winners will journey to France to watch the Summer Games.

Though anticipating some of the track and field events, Bolt is hoping to have a broad experience, including watching basketball legends Lebron James and Steph Curry, who are set to feature for the United States.

“It’s going to be exciting; I’m bringing the family and I’m excited. It’s my first time actually being at a championships watching, so I’m looking forward to seeing everything. I’m going to try a few other events. I’m definitely going to try to catch a [Team USA] basketball game, [and] I’m going to definitely try to catch some swimming so I’m going to try some different things,” he said.

The Paris Olympics Games is scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, with track and field events set to begin on August 1. Jamaica’s team will be chosen after the National Senior Championships, which will be held at the National Stadium from June 27 to 30.