Usain Bolt is considered the demigod of the track and field realm. Even after 14 long years, the Jamaican still holds the current world records in the men’s 100m and 200m divisions. According to an Olympics report, Bolt recorded both these world records in the 2009 world championships in Berlin when he clocked 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m event. Over the years, a number of athletes have tried to break Bolt’s records and Canadian track star Andre De Grasse is one of them.

The 6x Olympic medalist had his fair share of races against the world record holder, which also includes an iconic moment between the two at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But in 2023, Andre De Grasse had a somewhat disappointing season and although he did end the season with a win, the Canadian could not catch up to Bolt’s legacy at the 2023 Diamond League finals.

Andre De Grasse falls short of Usain Bolt’s legacy

The reigning 200m Olympic champion finished second behind Bolt at the 2016 Rio Olympics. While Bolt and De Grasse were competitors on the field, the Jamaican held the Canadian in high regard.

According to a CBC report, Bolt stated, “Andre De Grasse is more consistent any time he is in shape he is always on the podium. So if that continues on this line he would be the guy to watch, or he will be the guy to beat.”

Over the years, De Grasse has lived up to Bolt’s comments as he never finished outside a podium place in all of his Olympic and world championship appearances.

However, that changed in 2023 when he finished sixth in the world championships in Budapest. But De Grasse has finally registered a major win at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene with a season-best finish of 19.76 seconds in the 200m event.

Read more: The Real Story Behind Usain Bolt and Andre De Grasse’s Iconic Smile During an Olympics Race

However, even his season-best performance is nowhere near Bolt’s 19.19 world record, a feat that the Canadian will surely be aiming for during next year’s Paris Olympics. As for his match-up with Bolt, their 2016 Rio Olympics competition produced an iconic finish that is still talked about till date.

When Usain Bolt and the Canadian track star faced each other

The 2016 Rio Olympics was Andre De Grasse’s first-ever Olympics Games. At just 21 years old, the Canadian track sensation won a bronze medal in the 100m division behind Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin.

However, it was the 200m event that made for an iconic finish in the world of track and field. Facing off against Usain Bolt, De Grasse did manage to secure a silver medal, but what became memorable was their 200m semi-final finish that showed the both of them grinning at each other as they crossed the finish line.

Andre De Grasse is yet to reach the height of Bolt’s track legacy, but his fans will remain hopeful with his latest win in Eugene. With less than a year to go before the 2024 Paris Olympics, the reigning Olympic champion will surely make one more attempt at Bolt’s legacy.

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