On May 31, 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt became the fastest man in history when he broke the 100-metre world record at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York.
Bolt crossed the finish line in 9.72 seconds, surpassing the previous world record of 9.74 seconds set by fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell. At just 21 years old, Bolt stunned the athletics world with a performance that signalled the arrival of a new superstar.
What made the achievement even more remarkable was that Bolt had previously been known primarily as a 200-metre specialist. His decision to focus on the 100 metres was initially met with scepticism, but his record-breaking run in New York immediately silenced critics.
The record was only the beginning. Just months later, Bolt captured global attention at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay while setting new world records.
Over the following years, Bolt would lower the 100m world record even further to 9.58 seconds, a mark he set in 2009 that still stands today.
His performance on May 31, 2008, marked the moment the world was introduced to the athlete who would go on to dominate sprinting and become one of the greatest sports icons of all time.
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