World Cup without Bolt: Athletics is looking for the superstar

Great guys like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer or Tiger Woods, who captivate millions and also guarantee millions of dollars - the core Olympic sport could urgently need them. The upcoming World Championships in Doha will be the first global title fights without Bolt since 2003. And it's not just the fans who are excited: Who will be the new superstar of athletics?

“The stadiums are full even without Usain Bolt” Javelin thrower and athlete spokesman Thomas Röhler Olympic javelin throw champion Thomas Röhler sees no reason to worry; the aces in his division have been impressing with their performance for years. “The stadiums were full this year even without Usain,” he told the German Press Agency. “I welcome the current tactic of relying on more horses in marketing. This is what our sport thrives on, which essentially consists of so many disciplines and has so many different characters,” said the 27-year-old athlete spokesman for the IAAF.

But sprinters are the attraction, a 100 meter final is the highlight. When it comes to the Olympics or a World Cup, the sports world pays attention. But after the Bolt era, his heirs are having a hard time. Can Christian Coleman step out of the shadow of the world record holder, eight-time Olympic champion and eleven-time world champion? Is the 23-year-old American already fit to be a star? Fast legs, bold tones – Coleman has already made plenty of headlines this year. Even for negative ones. After three missed doping tests, the man from Atlanta was threatened with a ban. But Coleman has good lawyers. The US Anti-Doping Agency withdrew its charges. If convicted, the fastest man this year (9,81 seconds) would have faced a ban of up to two years. “I don’t want to be Usain Bolt” Christian Coleman Will Coleman become the new Bolt? The American, who is one head shorter, has no intention of doing that. “I don’t want to be Usain Bolt. I don't want to be anyone else either. I want to be the best version of Christian Coleman,” said the world indoor champion.

“The sprint was always very hyped. Now it’s time to find new faces who stand for more than just sporting success,” said long jumper Malaika Mihambo. Many believe the 25-year-old European champion can also win World Cup gold. She doesn't see a new star in the company at the moment. “Bolt was excellent because he was so good over many years,” said Mihambo. “There are few people who are so dominant in their disciplines.” Malaika Mihambo is considered a world champion candidate. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Bolt, who ended his career in 2017, filled the arenas, the Jamaican ecstatic fans, media, sponsors and managers alike. Noah Lyles, Coleman's compatriot and rival in the 200 meters, is also approaching the world record, as is the Norwegian Karsten Warholm in the 400 meter hurdles. European pole vault champion Armand Duplantis could one day become one: the Swede has already mastered the six meters as a teenager. Caster Semenya is missing and with her the big star And with women? A high-flyer like Elena Isinbaeva, the baton artist and world record collector from Moscow, has long since quit. Caster Semenya would be one – but twice 800-meter Olympic champion from South Africa now wants to play football . She is looking for a new challenge as she cannot defend her world title in the 800 meters at the World Championships in Doha, which begins on Friday. A controversial IAAF rule would force them to lower their genetically increased testosterone levels by taking hormones. Semenya strictly rejects this.

Sprinter Allyson Felix is also on the US team. With 16 medals, the 33-year-old is the most successful athlete in World Cup history to date - but by no means a superstar like Bolt.

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World Cup without Bolt: Athletics is looking for the superstar

No faxes at the start, no show after victories - and no more world record flashes in the roaring stadium: since super sprinter Usain Bolt enjoyed his sports pension in Jamaica, world athletics has been missing a shining light. That should change at the upcoming World Cup.

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