Bolt comparisons a 'privilege' - Dambile
South African sprinter Sinesipho Dambile says comparisons with Usain Bolt are a “privilege” as he targets World Championship and Olympic glory after a breakout season.
Key points
- Sinesipho Dambile says being compared to Usain Bolt is a privilege he enjoys.
- The South African won Commonwealth 200m gold in Birmingham in July.
- Dambile ran 19.74 seconds in Doha, the fourth-fastest time of 2026.
South African sprinter Sinesipho Dambile says being compared with Jamaican great Usain Bolt is a privilege, and that he enjoys the pressure that comes with it. The Commonwealth 200m champion made the comments on the Warm Up Track podcast.
The 24-year-old has had a breakthrough season, setting fast times over 200m and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July. He is also eyeing the 100m alongside his main event.
Bolt advice and fast times
Dambile recalled meeting Bolt at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where the Jamaican told him to make sure he enjoys the sport. Dambile finished eighth in the Tokyo 200m final after running a personal best of 19.97 seconds in the semi-finals.
This season he went faster, clocking 19.74 seconds at June's Diamond League meeting in Doha, the fourth-fastest time by any athlete in 2026. He was second behind Kenny Bednarek at last month's Diamond League final in Brussels, ahead of Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, and fourth at the inaugural Ultimate Championships.
Pressure is a privilege
— Sinesipho Dambile
Commonwealth gold and ambitions
Dambile's win in Birmingham made him the first South African to take the Commonwealth 200m title. He said the result brought relief and that he knew he deserved it because of the work he had put in.
He wants to add the 100m to his programme, saying he is mentally willing to do the work, and has set his sights on next year's World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He said he wants to be the best 200m athlete the sport has ever seen.
