Caspar Eliot interviews Usian Bolt for Oxford University’s Cherwell:

Although many of the current readership may be too young to remember the event, my first memories of athletics come from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. I was mesmerised particularly by the actions of one Michael Johnson as he stunned the world with his 200m performance, streaking away from the pack to beat his previous World Record and finish in 19.32s, a time that, according to some commentators, would never be beaten.

While this was going on, a certain Usain St. Leo Bolt was taking his first steps on the tartan of his local track. Asked how this came to be, he told me, “My cricket coach at school thought I was fast and suggested I take up track and field, the rest is history.” Michael Johnson was an inspiration for him too, as he was “dominant in the 200 and 400 metres at the time”, but unlike every other fan, this was the man who would eventually surpass his idol.

Indeed, that moment sits a lot more vividly in the memory…

Full interview here.