For over a decade and a half, the name Usain Bolt has been synonymous with speed, dominance, and unforgettable sporting moments.
Guinness World Records has officially crowned the sprint legend a Guinness World Records ICON ahead of its 70th anniversary celebrations.
In a surprise ceremony held at the Edwardian hotel in Manchester, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday personally presented Usain Bolt with his ICON certificate.
The emotional moment unfolded in front of a wall lined with records Usain Bolt has shattered throughout his illustrious career. Usain Bolt, the 8-time Olympic gold medalist, visibly moved as he accepted the accolade for his showstopping sprints.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the greats,” Bolt remarked after receiving the certificate.
“You’re always happy to be recognized by Guinness World Records. For years, I’ve been in there, and I’m finally getting all the certificates, which are going to look really good in my house. So, I’m happy to be an ICON.”
This recognition isn’t just about blistering sprint times, though Bolt’s 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m, set in 2009, remain untouched to this day. The ICON status celebrates a career that transcended athletics, turning Bolt into a cultural phenomenon. His charisma, trademark “lightning bolt” pose, and ability to bring spectacle and humanity to sport made him a global figure far beyond the track.
But for Usain Bolt, the secret was always simple.
“It’s very simple. I think people hear it all the time, it’s just hard work and dedication. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
A Career of Records Beyond Records
Usain Bolt’s ICON status marks the latest in a long line of Guinness World Records milestones. At just 15 years and 332 days old, he became the youngest male junior world champion with gold at the 2002 World Junior Championships. Years later, he anchored Jamaica’s 4×100m relay team to a blistering world record of 36.84 seconds at the 2012 London Olympics.
Between 2008 and 2016, Bolt dominated the world stage, winning six IAAF World Athlete of the Year titles, a feat no other track athlete has managed. It’s these lesser-publicized, yet equally historic records that paint the full picture of a man whose greatness extended far beyond the finish line.
Guinness World Records celebrates record-breaking icon Usain Bolt as it marks its 70th birthday on August 27, 2025. Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday summed it up perfectly:
“Usain Bolt is more than just a record-holder, he’s a global ICON who has demonstrated what the human body and spirit are capable of.”
Redefining What’s Possible
Usain Bolt’s legacy still ripples through track and field, inspiring young athletes chasing impossible dreams.
His ICON status is a reminder that records are made to be broken, but legends like Bolt redefine what was thought to be humanly possible.
Sixteen years after his record-breaking night in Berlin, Bolt’s influence is as strong as ever, not just as a champion, but as a symbol of what hard work, vision, and heart can achieve.
As Guinness World Records continues to celebrate history-makers, Usain Bolt now stands officially and forever as one of its greatest.
