One of the most decorated male athletes in the history of athletics, and the current holder of the title “World’s Fastest Man Alive”, former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt on Wednesday (September 1) weighed in on talks of controversial US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson.

In an interview with Revolt, the 100m great, expressed that he sympathized with Richardson a young talent whose persistence and confidence remains unwavering despite the many challenges she has been forced to overcome.

Richardson who first made her debut on the international scene after winning the women’s 100m US Olympic trials in a time of 10.72, was later suspended for one month after failing a mandatory drug test.

With no opportunity to prove herself on the Olympic stage, the 21-year-old was determined to get back to the business at the Prefontaine Classic in August but unfortunately finished ninth behind her other eight competitors including the Jamaican trio of Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, who dominated the sprint at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Despite her less than favourable placement at the time however, Richardson told reporters, “I’m not upset at myself at all. This is one race. I’m not done. Count me out if you want to. Talk all the shit you want. Cause I’m here to stay. I’m not done.”

Speaking to Richardson’s one-month suspension Bolt stated, “For me, I’ve always said one thing: rules are rules. They’re in place for a reason.”

He continued: “That’s how I’ve always looked at track and field. Because as soon as you get your agent, or your coach, or the person they have around you, (he/she) has to explain to you that, listen, these are the rules of the sports that you’re in. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. You can’t take this, you can’t do that.”

Notwithstanding Richardson’s err, however, Bolt expressed, “I like her energy because I think she’s good for the sport because her energy is different. It’s spicy, it’s a vibe.”

Responding to comments made by individuals who think the American is “too confident” or “not humble enough” the sprint legend stated, “Everybody is different. But, I think she brings a different spice to track and field. And sometimes sports need somebody like that to give the energy, to get people talking about it.”

He added: “And she does get people talking about track and field. So, for me, that’s something that I personally feel is good for the sport. Because track and field is not the biggest sport in the world that people actually go, ‘You know what? Let’s go watch track and field.’ So, for me, if they’re talking about it because she’s high energy and vibes, then for me, I’m okay with it.”