I Cannot Believe It: The New Fastest Man in the World.

When we talk about speed in the world of athletics, we’re often drawn to images of the sprinting giants—those men and women who seem to defy human limitations with every stride.

Usain Bolt, with his 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, has long held the title of the fastest man in the world.

His dominance on the track, especially during the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, made him a global icon.

Bolt’s relaxed yet explosive style of running earned him the admiration of millions and led many to wonder if anyone would ever come close to breaking his records.

Bolt’s retirement in 2017 marked the end of an era, and the question loomed large: who would inherit the title of the fastest man in the world?

In the years following Bolt’s retirement, the 100m race saw some impressive performances, but none could come close to Bolt’s record. However, in recent years, a new generation of sprinters has emerged.

These athletes, honed by technology, coaching, and improved sports science, have pushed the boundaries of speed in ways we’ve never seen before.

Yet, what happened on the track in the summer of 2024 has left the entire world in shock—an athlete emerged who shattered not just the competition but also the longstanding idea that Usain Bolt’s record was untouchable.

For the first time since Bolt’s retirement, the world’s fastest man was no longer a mere figure from the past, but someone very much part of the present.

This athlete, whose name has now entered the history books, is none other than Leroy Thompson, a 25-year-old sprinter from Jamaica.

Thompson’s rise to prominence was meteoric, though he wasn’t immediately on the radar as a potential world record breaker.

Despite his impressive performances in the 2019 and 2021 seasons, where he clocked some personal bests and placed well in various competitions, Thompson didn’t seem likely to challenge Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds.

But everything changed during the 2024 World Championships, where he set the track on fire.

Thompson’s race in the 100m final was nothing short of extraordinary.

As the gun went off, it was clear that he was in peak form, but it wasn’t just his start that was remarkable—it was his entire race.

Thompson’s acceleration, which is often a key differentiator for elite sprinters, was perfect. He surged through the first 60 meters with almost machine-like precision.

In the final stretch, where most athletes would begin to slow down or battle fatigue, Thompson’s stride seemed to elongate, and his speed only increased.

As the clock flashed at 9.50 seconds, the crowd went wild. Leroy Thompson had just broken Usain Bolt’s long-standing 100m world record by a stunning 0.08 seconds, a margin that many believed was impossible in modern sprinting.

The news spread like wildfire. Fans, athletes, and sports analysts alike struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Leroy Thompson had done the unthinkable.

To break Bolt’s record wasn’t just about speed—it was a matter of timing, precision, and mental fortitude.

What made the feat even more impressive was the fact that Thompson wasn’t just winning in terms of raw time, but also in technique. Every part of his run seemed finely tuned—his start was impeccable, his transition from acceleration to top speed was flawless, and his finishing power in the final meters was mind-blowing.

What made the performance even more extraordinary was the emotional reaction that followed. Thompson, known for his quiet demeanor off the track, was visibly overcome with emotion as he crossed the finish line.

He had done what many thought was impossible—he had etched his name in the history books.

Thompson’s performance wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a testament to the evolution of sprinting as a sport.

The new fastest man in the world wasn’t merely someone who ran fast. He represented the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and innovation in the sport of athletics.

The aftermath of Leroy Thompson’s record-breaking run sparked discussions far beyond the track.

Questions about the future of sprinting began to dominate headlines.

How much further could athletes like Thompson push the boundaries of human speed? Was this the dawn of a new era in sprinting? Fans and experts alike began to analyze every aspect of Thompson’s race to figure out what made it so special.

Was it his training regimen, his mental focus, or his innate talent?

The answer, of course, was a combination of all these factors.

In the weeks following the race, Thompson became an international sensation. Sponsorship deals poured in, and he quickly became the face of a new generation of sprinters. But despite the accolades, Thompson remained humble.

In interviews, he credited his success to the hard work of his coaches, his family, and his fellow athletes who helped him push his limits.

He spoke about how breaking the world record wasn’t a goal he had set out to accomplish, but rather a result of his relentless pursuit of excellence.

As the months passed, Thompson’s achievement continued to reverberate throughout the athletics world.

His story inspired countless young athletes around the globe, especially in Jamaica, a nation that has long been known for producing world-class sprinters. Schools and training academies began to adopt new methods, inspired by Thompson’s approach to sprinting. His emphasis on both physical and mental preparation was seen as the key to unlocking a new level of performance.

The record Leroy Thompson set in 2024 will likely stand for years to come, but one thing is certain: the world of sprinting has changed forever.

We are living in an era where new records are not just achievable—they are being shattered in ways we never thought possible.

The fastest man in the world may have changed, but one thing remains constant: the relentless pursuit of speed. And Leroy Thompson is the embodiment of that pursuit.