When most individuals take into consideration Usain Bolt and Guinness World Information, the primary issues that come to thoughts are his blistering dash occasions: 9.58 seconds within the 100 meters and 19.19 seconds within the 200 meters, each set in 2009. These data nonetheless stand because the quickest in historical past. However in 2025, Bolt earned a Guinness World Document that was not about his working velocity in any respect.
Guinness World Information named Bolt a Guinness World Information ICON throughout its seventieth anniversary celebration. This honor is just not tied to a stopwatch or end line however as a substitute acknowledges his lasting affect as one of many biggest athletes of all time.
What does it imply to be a Guinness World Information ICON?
The ICON recognition was created by Guinness World Information to have fun people who’ve gone past extraordinary achievements and left a cultural mark that evokes individuals worldwide. Previous recipients embrace world superstars reminiscent of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Drake, and Elton John.
For sports activities, the ICON record options athletes who modified the way in which the world views human potential. Bolt joins names like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simone Biles, and Zion Clark.
By being added to this elite group, Bolt’s legacy is honored not only for his unmatched occasions on the observe but additionally for the way in which he has impressed individuals in all places together with his persona, dedication, and world affect.
Extra than simply velocity
Whereas his sprinting achievements stay legendary, Bolt’s ICON recognition highlights one thing usually ignored: his impression past athletics. Through the years, he has influenced music, trend, youth improvement, and sports activities tradition world wide.
This Guinness honor reveals that his story is about greater than medals and world data. It’s about breaking limitations, inspiring younger individuals to dream large, and reminding the world of what onerous work and perception can obtain.
A profession filled with Guinness World Information
Along with his new ICON recognition, Bolt already has 15 Guinness World Information beneath his belt. A few of these embrace:
- Quickest 100m dash: 9.58 seconds (Berlin, 2009)
- Quickest 200m dash: 19.19 seconds (Berlin, 2009)
- Quickest 150m dash: 14.35 seconds (Manchester, 2009)
- Quickest 4x100m relay: 36.84 seconds (London Olympics, 2012)
- Most IAAF World Athlete of the Yr awards (6, between 2008–2016)
- Youngest male junior world champion at simply 15 years previous (2002, Kingston)
These achievements alone would assure his place in historical past. However the ICON award takes issues a step additional by recognizing his lasting cultural impression.
Why this recognition issues
Bolt’s Guinness ICON award tells us one thing essential: greatness is just not solely about statistics and medals. It’s about the way in which somebody’s journey continues to encourage lengthy after they step off the stage.
For younger athletes, Bolt is proof that dedication and fervour can break limits. For followers world wide, he’s a reminder that pleasure, charisma, and authenticity could be simply as highly effective as bodily achievements.
Guinness World Information has been publishing tales of extraordinary individuals since 1955. By naming Bolt an ICON, they ensured his legacy will stand alongside essentially the most influential figures of our time.
Usain Bolt will all the time be remembered because the quickest man on earth. However now, due to Guinness World Information, he’s additionally remembered as an ICON.
Photograph – Deposit Photos/Usain Bolt/Guinness World Record
