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Maurice Greene decided to retire in 2008 at a relatively young age of 33, and he has now reflected on his decision to call it quits 16 years later.
American sprinting legend Maurice Greene, who reigned supreme on the track in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has revealed the reasons behind his retirement at the relatively young age of 33.
Greene’s decision echoes that of Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt, who also stepped away from competition at 30, despite maintaining his dominance in sprinting.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Maurice Greene left an indelible mark on the world of athletics. His career was adorned with a series of exceptional milestones that solidified his status as one of the greatest sprinters in history:
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13:00 - 25.11.2024
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American sprint legend Maurice Greene remains steadfast on his stance over modern sprinters, believing they have it so much 'easier' chances to dominate sprinting nowadays compared to his era.
In 1999, he set a 100m world record with a time of 9.79 seconds, a mark that stood until 2002. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he claimed gold in the 100m and played a pivotal role as the anchor for the winning 4x100m relay team.
He captured three 100m world titles in 1997, 1999, and 2001. His performance at the 1999 World Championships in Sevilla was especially historic, as he achieved a rare triple gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.
Greene also set a 60m indoor world record of 6.39 seconds in 1998, a time that stood unchallenged until Christian Coleman broke it with 6.34 seconds in 2018.
Despite his towering achievements, Greene’s career was increasingly hindered by injuries, prompting him to retire just before the 2008 Olympic Games.
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09:30 - 27.10.2024
'He was an anomaly' - American legend Maurice Greene on why modern sprinters get it wrong by copying Usain Bolt's running style
Greene has revealed how Usain Bolt's height forced him to adapt and adjust his running style in a way that suited his body, which modern athletes have mistakenly tried to copy-paste.
In an interview on The Powells YouTube channel, Greene shed light on why he chose to step away from the sport. Reflecting on his illustrious career, he explained that he had already achieved every goal he set for himself in athletics.
“I am one of the few people who had nothing left to accomplish in the sport. I accomplished every single thing I possibly could. I had the indoor world record in the 60m, the 100m world record, and the world championship gold medal. So, it got to the point of like, what else is there for me to do?” he said.
Greene also highlighted the importance of maintaining the right mindset, emphasizing that he did not want to extend his career unnecessarily and risk tarnishing his legacy. “I am the type of person that, if my mind is not into it, what is the point? Some people leave a mark, but then the mark gets erased, and you try to go on, and all you do is lose respect. I am fine,” he remarked.
Greene’s decision to retire has often been compared to Usain Bolt’s exit from the sport. Although Bolt walked away at the top of his game, he later admitted that retirement was not without its challenges. On the High Performance Podcast, the Jamaican icon explained how stepping away from sprinting reignited his competitive instincts.
“Mentally, I was ready to go. But after you retire and start watching the sport, that is when it becomes hard. I saw so many athletes try to rekindle their greatness after retirement,” Bolt reflected.
In 2019, Bolt even considered making a comeback, approaching his former coach Glen Mills about resuming training. However, Mills strongly discouraged the idea, stating, “When you retire, that is it. We are not going to do any comebacks.”
For both Greene and Bolt, the decision to retire was deeply rooted in a desire to leave the sport with their reputations intact. Greene’s view that continuing beyond one’s peak could erode respect aligns closely with Bolt’s recognition of the pitfalls of chasing past glory.
While Maurice Greene’s retirement may have come sooner than anticipated, his legacy as a trailblazer and record-breaker remains untouched. His philosophy of leaving the sport without regrets serves as a testament to the mindset of a true champion.
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