In a few days, the 2024 Olympics will open in Paris, France, however, athletics will only start from August 1.
When it comes to athletics, two of the most popular events are 100m and 200m. When it comes to speed running, Usain Bolt is a legendary name at the Olympics and world championships.
The Jamaican athlete is the greatest sprinter of all time, holding world records in both the 100m and 200m events.
The runner nicknamed "Lightning" has eight Olympic gold medals to his name and holds a record of winning every Olympic race he has ever participated in.
The only race where Bolt failed to win a gold medal was because a teammate tested positive for drugs in the 4x100m relay at Rio 2016, causing Jamaica's result to be erased from the record.
Ahead of the 2024 Olympics , the 37-year-old former athlete will see a new crop of sprinters attempt to win gold in the 100m and 200m events.
Defending 100m champion Marcell Jacobs has not recorded a time under 10 seconds all season and is not considered a top contender to defend his title.
Meanwhile, Fred Kerley - the reigning silver medalist, finished in third place in the US Olympic tournament earlier this year. Compatriot Noah Lyles is considered the more likely candidate to win the gold medal.
However, the sprinter who has most impressed Bolt will compete in the 200m after qualifying for the US Olympics.
Speaking on the Obi One podcast, the Jamaican legend called American sprinter Erriyon Knighton “a figure to watch for the future”.
Knighton, who turned 20 in January, finished second in the 200m at the 2023 World Championships, clocking 19.75 seconds.
He also set a U20 world record in the 200m, with a personal best in this event of 19.49 seconds - just 0.3 seconds behind Bolt's 2009 world record (19.19 second).
Like Bolt, Knighton is good at both 100m and 200m distances. The legend born in 1986 believes that this guy can become a future star of athletics.
"I don't see it [any current sprinter beating my world record]," he said.
Sometimes you can see some talent where you come from, then you say, 'Oh, if he develops, he will be successful'. But I haven't seen it yet.
But there was one boy who had my attention for a while. His name is Knighton, from America. He ran about 19.40 seconds or so.
Just turned 20, so pretty good. But it's all about developing talent. You have to find a good coach, someone to nurture and understand how to nurture talent and help build that talent.
When I saw him, I thought 'This boy really impresses me'.”
