Usain Bolt on missing World Athletics Championships buzz: "It is impossible to replicate that feeling"

The World Athletics Championships are special for Usain Bolt.

The former Jamaican sprinter won eleven gold medals across four World champs. At the 2009 event in Berlin he also set world records for the men's 100m and 200m, which he still holds today.

On top of that, he ended his legendary professional career at a World championships, when he raced for the last time five years ago in London.

As the 2022 track and field major event begins on Friday 15 July in Eugene, Oregon, the eight-time Olympic champion admitted that he misses the adrenaline rush coming from the athletics' global showpiece: “I loved the buzz of the major Championships, the energy of the crowd, the excitement, the atmosphere," he told the Mirror.

“It is impossible to replicate that feeling."

READ MORE: Find out about the evolution of the men's 100m world record.

The sprinting legend was a great showman on the track and was known for bringing a personality and flare that the sport had never been seen before. But the 35-year-old acknowledges not everyone has the same approach in seizing the energy and atmosphere.

“Some athletes embrace it and some athletes find it difficult in those moments. I was always someone who performed best at the Championships. I definitely miss that.”

Bolt is enjoying retirement with projects in music and football. He's also a busy father of three after his partner gave birth to twins in 2021.

“The motivation wasn’t there to continue training hard day in day out. These days I am very happy to watch it on TV.”

But he also believes the sport has potential to go further: “Athletics needs to come up with new formats to engage new fans, sponsors, media,” he said.

Earlier this week the retired sprinter was awarded an honorary doctorate from Brunel University in London.

For more on the World Athletics Championships 2022 - check out our preview with day-by-day highlights and schedule.