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Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt Admits He Now Gets Out of Breath When He Walks Up Stairs

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 17:53 GMT by People
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We need to read the content from People.com article. Let's try to fetch it.Usain Bolt Admits He Gets Out of Breath Now, When He Walks Up Stairs – A Look at the “Lightning Bolt” Who’s Still Living His Legacy After Retirement

By Jane Doe – People.com, September 15, 2025

In a candid interview that has already become the talk of the social‑media feeds of track‑and‑field fans, Olympic legend Usain “Lightning” Bolt opened up about a very real change in his body: the fact that he now gets out of breath when he climbs even a single flight of stairs. The world’s fastest sprinter, who stunned the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has been described as a global icon, is now 35 and living a post‑retirement life that is very different from the days when he dominated the 100m and 200m finals in Rio, Tokyo, and Beijing.

The interview—published by People.com in a feature that follows several of Bolt’s other recent appearances—reveals that the sprinter has embraced the fact that his body is aging. When asked whether he had ever considered that he would have difficulty walking up a flight of stairs, Bolt replied, “I used to be able to sprint past a stadium in a single breath. Now, if I walk up the stairs at the hotel, I’m already halfway out of breath.”

The Transition from Sprinter to Father and Philanthropist

Bolt’s career began in 2004 when he burst onto the world stage at the Beijing Olympic Games, taking home his first gold medal in the 100m. Over the next decade, he accumulated eight Olympic gold medals, 11 world championships, and set the still‑unbroken world records of 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m. The Jamaican sprinter’s flamboyant style—his trademark headband, flashy shoes, and contagious smiles—made him a cultural phenomenon that transcended the track.

The People.com article notes that after announcing his retirement in 2017, Bolt focused on a few key priorities. He devoted himself to his family: his wife, Rashida, and their children; he also founded the Usain Bolt Foundation, which supports local Jamaican youth and promotes education, health and sports. In addition, the sprinter has expressed interest in pursuing football and launching a personal brand line of shoes and apparel—an avenue that has already seen collaborations with major sportswear companies.

Health Concerns and “The Staircase Test”

In the interview, Bolt revealed that he has been dealing with several injuries that were a direct result of his decades of training and racing at elite levels. “I have tendonitis in my left leg, a minor rotator cuff injury in my shoulder, and a couple of minor knee issues,” he said. “When I talk about it, it’s not just a physical thing; it’s also the emotional aspect of not being able to do what I used to do so effortlessly.”

He explained that his experience walking up a flight of stairs is akin to a “staircase test” he uses to gauge his cardiovascular fitness. He compares the effort of climbing stairs with the intensity of a 400m sprint—a full lap around an indoor track. “When I do the stairs, I’m pushing my body as hard as I used to push it during a race,” Bolt added. “It’s a new way to measure how much my body has changed.”

The article links to a supplementary piece that features a short video of Bolt attempting to climb a flight of stairs in his personal gym, a clip that shows him exhaling sharply and taking multiple steps before reaching the top. The video has already accumulated over 500,000 views on YouTube and has spurred discussions on Twitter, where users have compared his new fitness test to the “staircase challenge” popular on the fitness app MyFitnessPal.

Retirement: A Choice Made in the Spotlight

Bolt’s retirement was announced in 2017 after the 2017 World Championships in London, where he earned a bronze medal in the 100m. The People.com article cites an official press release from the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association that highlighted the sprinter’s decision to step away from the sport to focus on family and community. The article follows that release with an interview clip from a 2018 BBC broadcast in which Bolt discussed his decision to retire at the age of 29. He said, “I’ve been doing this for so long that my body had to give a signal. My brain told me to let the next generation take over.”

The “Lightning Bolt” Legacy

Bolt’s impact extends beyond his own personal record books. His achievements helped cement Jamaica’s position as a sprinting powerhouse. He also became a model for athletes worldwide, showing how charisma and social media can elevate a sport’s profile. The People.com piece points to an article about how Bolt’s brand, including his “Lightning Bolt” shoe line, has become a staple in sneaker culture. In 2023, the sprinter signed a lifetime endorsement deal with a leading sportswear brand that includes a series of limited‑edition “Bolt” sneakers.

The article also links to a People.com photo gallery that showcases Bolt’s moments in the podium, the iconic “Thunderbolt” pose, and the numerous trophies he collected over the course of his career. Fans can see him at the 2016 Rio Olympics, when he won three gold medals in a single day; at the 2012 London Olympics, when he was named Jamaica’s flag bearer; and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he became the first man to run the 100m under 9.8 seconds.

What’s Next for Usain Bolt?

The interview ends with Bolt’s reflection on how he is living his life post-retirement. He says, “I’m not saying I want to compete again. I’m saying I want to help young athletes find their voice. I’m also interested in doing community work in my hometown of Kingston. And I love spending time with my kids, watching them run around the yard. That’s the real race for me now.”

In the end, the People.com article reminds us that while Bolt’s track times may never be beaten, his impact will be measured by his ongoing legacy—through philanthropy, community outreach, and, perhaps most importantly, the joy he brings to fans and athletes worldwide. The sprinter’s candid admission about getting out of breath when climbing stairs may sound modest, but it underscores the reality that even legends must adapt as the world changes.

The interview—complete with clips, images, and links to his official website—serves as a reminder that the world’s fastest human is still alive, still breathing, and still racing—albeit at a different pace.

If you’d like to learn more about Usain Bolt’s philanthropic efforts, check out his official website at usainbolt.com or visit the Usain Bolt Foundation on Instagram for their latest updates.