The track world has been on the prowl for a suitable heir to Usain Bolt, and very few so far can hold a candle to him. Undoubtedly, he holds the title of the world’s fastest man, a moniker apt. He set a remarkable record of 9.58 seconds in the 100m at the 2009 IAAF World Championships—a record that remains unbroken until now, even though he retired in 2017. However, the quest for a new athlete to claim this title has led to Noah Lyles‘ remarkable achievement of 9.83 seconds in the 100m, attained in 2023. This performance earned Lyles the title of the “fastest man in the world” for that year, although it falls short of Bolt’s legendary mark. But looking at Noah Lyles’s season-best in 100m, it is 9.96 seconds, secured at the 2024 USATF Bermuda Grand Prix. But amidst all these phenoms, there’s a 17-year-old furtive figure also making the world take notice with his nimble strides.
This younger wunderkind on the block is shaping up to be a formidable challenge, though he has miles to go before getting on par with Bolt. However, Lyles’ season record was surpassed by this boy alone – Christian Miller, who set a new best of 9.93 last month. But, this record was then further beaten by Omari Lewis, who clocked 9.88 in the 100m. Despite these impressive performances, none have managed to shatter Usain Bolt’s 9.58. However, the question arises, what if this title was given to other athletes? Such a scenario would undoubtedly provoke controversy and potentially slight Bolt’s achievements. This issue recently surfaced when FloTrack bestowed the title to another athlete, a much younger buck no less, sparking an old debate again.
FloTrack claims the new “Fastest Man in the World” dethrones Usain Bolt!
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Recently, FloTrack shared a post on X, regarding Christian Miller’s participation in the upcoming high school state meet. Miller will compete in the 4×100 squad. The caption of the post read, “It’s not every day that the fastest man in the world competes in a high school state meet..”
It’s not every day that the fastest man in the world competes in a high school state meet.
Christian Miller, the No. 1 athlete in the world at 100m with his 9.93 from this spring, will compete at his final Florida State Championships — but in the relays.https://t.co/r6pOE7V2FK
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 14, 2024
However, this assertion of Miller being the “fastest man in the world” raised eyebrows, particularly among the fans and seasoned sprinters like Micheal Johnson, an American retired sprinter, now working as a commentator for BBC. Johnson pointedly questioned this claim, “The Fastest man in the world?” This statement reflects the reality check Johnson aims to give the track world. While Miller does have the makings of a great athlete no doubt, he still has to lot to show for until Bolt is left behind in the wake. This statement reignited discussions about the authenticity of FloTrack news, especially considering their recent acquisition of US broadcast rights for the Diamond League starting in 2025.
Interestingly, this means that the 2024 Diamond League season, which began on April 20 in Xiamen, China, marked the final year on NBC/Peacock, which has broadcasted the series since 2017. The decision to transition to FloTrack for the Diamond League broadcast was met with widespread criticism from US track fans and numerous American track stars, prompting FloTrack to disable comments on its social media posts announcing the move.
World champion and two-time Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas underscored the discontent, expressing on her Instagram story, “This might be the worst news I’ve heard from the Diamond League since… ever.” Moreover, the shift to FloTrack comes with a hefty price increase for US fans. While a Peacock subscription costs $5.99/month or $59.99/year, a FloTrack subscription is priced at $29.99/month or $149.99/year. This significant hike in subscription fees has left fans dismayed, especially considering they are essentially paying more for the same product. Such discontent highlights the financial strain placed on viewers and their dissatisfaction with the increased cost.
Noah Lyles also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that the concern extended beyond high subscription fees. He pointed out, “I wish FloTrack offered more money to host the Diamond League domestically. That’s how they got it.” Lyles’ statement sheds light on the broader financial dynamics at play, suggesting that FloTrack secured broadcasting rights by offering substantial financial incentives. However, even as time passed, the controversy failed to subside. However, this other misstep from FloTrack reignited the debate, causing fans to once again express their discontent through social media platforms.
Track and field fans are in uproar again!
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Within the community of track and field enthusiasts, various voices emerged to challenge the narrative on X. Among these, one distinct voice wielded sarcasm as a rhetorical tool, employing it to cast doubt on the credibility of FloTrack, the platform under scrutiny. By humorously suggesting that “FloTrack is the best streaming service in the world 🤡,” this individual subtly conveyed skepticism, implying that the platform may not live up to its self-proclaimed reputation of excellence.
Another voice emerged, characterized by its directness and resoluteness. This individual wasted no time in challenging the assertion, bluntly stating, “He’s not the fastest man in the world,” which served as a bold declaration questioning the validity of Christian Miller’s presumed status.
Amidst the prevailing skepticism surrounding the assertion, a thought-provoking question emerged, laden with uncertainty: “Which world?” This query encapsulated the overarching ambiguity surrounding the proclamation, subtly insinuating a potential disparity between the perceived truth and the actual reality of the situation.
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Furthermore, the discontent within the track and field community was palpable as one fan voiced their dissatisfaction with the terminology used. They articulated their critique by stating, “Okay, giving it to the title holder is one thing, but calling the WL the fastest man is just disgusting.” This statement reflected a profound objection to labeling the World Leader as the fastest individual, suggesting a misalignment between the bestowed title and the individual’s actual performance(Usain Bolt)
In search of clarity and accuracy, another perspective emerged, advocating for a shift in focus. “Fastest man in 2024 would have been a better headline,” suggested a fan, urging for a more precise representation of the current year’s achievements. These diverse reactions illuminated the complexity of the issue, reflecting a community grappling with discrepancies and seeking transparency in acknowledging athletic prowess. Christian Miller should prove his naysayers and hopefully come out unscathed now to give Bolt stiff competition.