AS he continues to wait for an expanded role with World Athletics, Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt believes track and field needs an overhaul due to the lack of “excitement”.

It has been nine years since Usain Bolt retired after winning eight Olympic titles and 11 World Championship gold medals. His 100m world record of 9.58 seconds and 200m mark of 19.19 seconds, both set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships, still stand nearly two decades later, along with the 4x100m record of 36.84 seconds set at the 2012 London Olympics.

However, since his retirement, many have questioned the state of track and field, pointing to Bolt’s on track dominance as well as his charismatic personality.

Last December, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe pointed to the sport’s growth, citing strong event attendance, nearly 40 billion digital impressions, and a record 84 countries reaching the finals at the World Athletics Championships. He also mentioned the great opportunities for 2026 including the inaugural Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

Bolt, though, says more needs to be done to reignite interest in the sport.

“It needs a little bit of a revamp, it needs a little bit more excitement, and I think it’s going to need change because people watch for excitement and I think the sport needs to figure out a way to get people engaged in track and field,” he told CNN Sports.

“I’m not the only one saying it. People always [say to] me, ‘Usain track and field is going down.’ Even when I go now, people are saying I don’t watch it because you left. It’s missing that excitement and that vibes and the different things. It’s not always about time but it’s about the competition and about just the energy that it brings and that’s not there anymore. That’s why I’m always excited to see athletes who have a personality in the sport because that helps the sport to make people want to watch.”

Last September, Bolt was named Ultimate Legend by World Athletics to promote the Ultimate Championships, set for September 11 to 13.

However, he wants a bigger role to help drive the sport’s growth and development.

“I’ve been saying it, I’ve told them all the time,” he said. “I’m always willing to be a part of track and field anyway because it’s pretty much my life and what made me who I am. So I’ll play any role possible to help to uplift it, help to push it and help to keep it afloat and get better.”

Although having no regrets walking away from the sport at age 30, Bolt says he still reflects on the feeling he experienced from the crowd when he competed.

“I went to the World Championships the other day and just watching them and being there live — it felt weird not being on the track and I felt a lot more nervous than I normally would be,” he said. “When I actually watch my fellow Jamaicans compete, I get more nervous than anything else, but I do miss just the excitement and just the energy from the crowd.”

Bolt recently partnered with Hublot to release a limited-edition timepiece bearing tributes to his legendary career.

BOLT…it needs a little bit more excitement and I think it’s going to need change because people watch for excitement (Photos: AFP)

Athletes competing in a men’s 10,000m race. (Photo: AFP)