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Weeks after Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt described Jamaican fans as being very demanding, the latest Jamaican sprint king has now echoed their sentiments, agreeing with the two legends over how demanding the fans are.
Jamaican sprint star Kishane Thompson has aligned with the insights of sprint legends Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell regarding the intense pressure Jamaican fans place on their athletes.
Known for their devotion to track and field, Jamaican supporters often have sky-high expectations, making it crucial for athletes to develop mental resilience to thrive on the global stage.
Thompson, who recently secured silver at the Paris Olympics with a blistering 9.79 seconds, tied with Noah Lyles in one of the sport's most competitive finishes, acknowledged the unique intensity of Jamaica’s track and field culture.
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20:42 - 29.10.2024
'I did it for myself first' - Usain Bolt agrees with Asafa Powell's advice to Kishane Thompson on the 'demanding' nature of Jamaican fans
Usain Bolt has agreed with Asafa Powell on the nature of Jamaican fans after the latter recently offered advice to Kishane Thompson on why he should not feel oblidged to carry the country his t back.
“Jamaica views track and field as their holy grail,” Thompson shared during Sprint Season 2. “Sprint nation. They do not want to see not getting the gold.”
Asafa Powell, renowned for breaking the 10-second barrier 97 times, advised Thompson to focus on his own goals rather than carrying the weight of national pride. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Powell said:
“Jamaica is not a country to carry on your back; these people are very, very hard on the athletes… They love you to death, but they are hard on the athletes.”
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17:00 - 14.10.2024
'Jamaicans are very hard on athletes'- Asafa Powell on what Kishane Thompson should do to experience his full potential
Asafa Powell advised Kishane Thompson on the key things he has to focus on to perform at the level of champions like Noah Lyles.
Powell emphasized the importance of viewing major championships as “just another race,” allowing athletes to remain composed and confident. He added, “If you are just doing it for yourself when you cross the finish line, then you know it’s for everybody."
Usain Bolt, an eight-time Olympic champion, supported Powell's advice, sharing his own experiences of dealing with Jamaica's passionate fans. Speaking on The High Performance Podcast, Bolt recalled the rollercoaster of public opinion he faced early in his career.
“I started when I was very young in Jamaica. If you did well, they would be like ‘Oh yeah!’ and if you did bad, they would be like ‘Boo!’”
Bolt admitted that he initially prioritized meeting the nation’s expectations, a mindset that often left him vulnerable to criticism. Over time, he realized the need to focus on his own goals to protect his mental well-being.
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18:00 - 23.11.2024
'This isn’t the Jamaica I know’- Usain Bolt speaks out on Olympic disappointment and life beyond the track
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has revealed his Olympic heartbreak, a surprising retirement hobby and a quirky pre-race superstition.
“I had to figure out that, ‘If I do well, they are going to love me. If I don’t do so well, they won’t love me so much.’ That’s when I figured out I had to do this for myself first,” Bolt explained.
Thompson, 23, is seen as the heir apparent to Bolt, a perception fueled by his record-breaking performances. Earlier this season, he clocked 9.77 seconds—the fastest time of the year—and clinched the Jamaican 100m title.
His achievements have reignited hope for a resurgence in Jamaican men’s sprinting after a period dominated by American stars like Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley.
However, with his success comes heightened scrutiny and expectations. Thompson now faces the challenge of balancing national pride with personal ambition, a balancing act perfected by Bolt and Powell during their illustrious careers.
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22:04 - 23.11.2024
'He is not elusive' - Paul Francis disagrees with Michael Johnson's observation on Kishane Thompson being a 'mystery man'
Kishane Thompson has emerged sort of 'out of nowhere' this year, narrowly missing on the 100 meter gold to Noah Lyles, which has seen Michael Johnson describe him as 'a mystery man'
As the new face of Jamaican sprinting, Thompson appears ready to embrace the weight of his nation’s dreams. By taking lessons from Bolt and Powell to heart, the young sprinter aims to carve his own path while keeping Jamaica’s “holy grail” in mind.
With a promising career ahead, Thompson’s focus on personal growth amidst external pressure could be the key to sustaining his meteoric rise on the world stage.
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