Usain Bolt had an impact on the track and field realm like no one. Changing the dynamics of modern-day athletics, Bolt became a force to be reckoned with. Whenever he ran on the tracks, the Jamaican looked like several notches ahead of his competition. Bolt was so fast that he even had time to slow down and turn back to see his opponents. And guess what? He still won by a margin that remains unscathed till now! 

Bolt’s 9.58s in the 100m and 19.19s in the 200m is still the dream for every track athlete in the present day. Unfortunately, the fame and the wow factor did not come easy for the Jamaican. For he had to pay a hefty price to climb the ladder of track and field greatness. Owing to his alien-like antics on the tracks, Bolt was subjected to extensive testing. And each time he made a new world record, the intensity of the testing just doubled. 

Speaking on the same, the Jamaican legend appeared on ‘The Fix’ on YouTube in February 2025. When asked about how much he was being tested, Usain Bolt laughed and shared some concerning incidents. One of them is the fact that Bolt was once tested thrice in a single day! “I was the most tested athlete ever. You can go on the website time, like we get tested constantly… One time, we got tested three times in one day… I am like ‘hey big man, come on,’ correspond with each other and get this thing right,” Bolt opined. 

The Jamaican sprinting sensation further mentioned that the tests have evolved to become more strict over the days. To emphasize on the same, he mentioned that tests like urine and even biological passports were introduced to testify for any abnormalities. “Yeah, at first, it was just urine tests. Then they started blood testing. They introduced the biological passport to track levels and look for any changes over time,”

However, the track and field remained unfazed. Why should he even break a sweat? Throughout his career, this sprinting legend remained clean.  Meanwhile, as rightly pointed out by Usain Bolt, the stricter testing norms are a headache for contemporary track and field athletes. 

Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson voice concerns over rough drug testing policies

The athletes that have entered into the USADA drug testing pool have to provide their whereabouts 24/7. This would mean staying alarmed round the clock because you never know when officials show up at your doorstep. The athletes are supposed to update their schedules every three months and inform USADA of any changes. Surely, such a policy might feel quite exhausting for the athletes.

Having gotten suspended for her T*C consumption back in 2021, Sha’Carri Richardson vented out his frustrations back in 2022 stating, “USADA act more like a PO but they say they care about the sport.” And that was not all. Richardson was extensively tested in 2024 too. The USADA officials came up to her during Easter, and in Paris, while unveiling her statue. The reigning Olympic 100m champion, Noah Lyles, also had to go through his share of awkward tests. 

Competing at the World Athletics Relays, Lyles guided Team USA to a 4x100m triumph. However, much to his surprise, the officers came in immediately and asked him to provide samples for the test. Reflecting on the same, Lyles stated, “Just when you think the job is done, doping control comes take away the fun. It’s 1 a.m., I haven’t eaten, definitely haven’t slept, definitely haven’t showered. All I want is to go home.”  That sounds rough! While the integrity of the sport ought to be maintained, should it come at the high cost of violating athletes’ boundaries and invading their personal space? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!