From Bolt to Duplantis - The Record Breakers and History Makers
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The latest episode of the Laureus-presented show Spirit of Sport features exclusive interviews with legendary Olympic athletes Usain Bolt, Rebeca Andrade and Mondo Duplantis. We also hear from Formula 1 teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, plus Laureus Academy member Brian O’Driscoll.
Usain Bolt has won it all. With eight Olympic gold medals and three world records to his name, the Jamaican’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all-time is undisputed.
In an exclusive interview at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Spirit of Sport quizzed the four-time World Sportsman of the Year on his greatest moments. And he revealed that – beyond the medals and the records – representing his home nation of Jamaica is what he looks back on most fondly.
“What made me proud was when I was 15 back in Jamaica at the World Juniors,” he reflected. “Competing and winning in front of my home crowd meant so much to me – and also for my parents to see me compete for the first time in a major tournament.”
Now, a generation of sprinters who have grown up idolising Bolt have reached the pinnacle of the sport themselves. In Bolt’s eyes, the event is more competitive than ever – the 100m sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics was one of the greatest races that Bolt has witnessed.
“The commentators said that it was the greatest 100m ever,” Bolt said. “I’ve never seen one so close. As a Jamaican, I’m upset that we didn’t win, but I’m always happy to see competition – it’s huge for our sport.”
In an exclusive interview at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Spirit of Sport quizzed the four-time World Sportsman of the Year on his greatest moments. And he revealed that – beyond the medals and the records – representing his home nation of Jamaica is what he looks back on most fondly.
“What made me proud was when I was 15 back in Jamaica at the World Juniors,” he reflected. “Competing and winning in front of my home crowd meant so much to me – and also for my parents to see me compete for the first time in a major tournament.”
Now, a generation of sprinters who have grown up idolising Bolt have reached the pinnacle of the sport themselves. In Bolt’s eyes, the event is more competitive than ever – the 100m sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics was one of the greatest races that Bolt has witnessed.
“The commentators said that it was the greatest 100m ever,” Bolt said. “I’ve never seen one so close. As a Jamaican, I’m upset that we didn’t win, but I’m always happy to see competition – it’s huge for our sport.”
From one athlete’s enduring legacy, Spirit of Sport met with another athlete looking to build her own. Rebeca Andrade has already reached the peak of gymnastic success, becoming the first female Brazilian gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal. But Brazil’s most decorated Olympic athlete has had to overcome significant adversity throughout her gymnastic career, including three ACL injuries.
“I never thought that anything was impossible, just very difficult,” she said. “I faced difficulties many times.” Andrade received the 2025 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, recognising the courage and determination that saw her defy injuries to claim a bronze, two silvers and a gold medal at the Paris Games. Now, she is beginning to think about how her experiences might benefit the next generation.
“What sport brings – wisdom, knowledge, discovery and the will to want more – is very important,” she said. “In the future, I hope to have my own space to encourage and help other athletes to reach and achieve their goals.”
“I never thought that anything was impossible, just very difficult,” she said. “I faced difficulties many times.” Andrade received the 2025 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, recognising the courage and determination that saw her defy injuries to claim a bronze, two silvers and a gold medal at the Paris Games. Now, she is beginning to think about how her experiences might benefit the next generation.
“What sport brings – wisdom, knowledge, discovery and the will to want more – is very important,” she said. “In the future, I hope to have my own space to encourage and help other athletes to reach and achieve their goals.”
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Spirit of Sport swaps the gymnasium for the track, catching up with Mondo Duplantis ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 2025 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year broke the world record in pole vault for an incredible ninth time at the Paris Games and gave Spirit of Sport an exclusive insight into how he did it.
“The way I set up the training and set up mentally for the Games was to break the world record,” he said. “I knew that was my moment to make an impact. It was world record or nothing.”
Spirit of Sport also takes a pitstop for some quickfire questions with McLaren F1 teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, before Laureus Academy Member Brian O’Driscoll visits Barking Sports 4 Change: a Laureus-supported initiative helping at-risk youth learn values and find purpose through rugby.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
“The way I set up the training and set up mentally for the Games was to break the world record,” he said. “I knew that was my moment to make an impact. It was world record or nothing.”
Spirit of Sport also takes a pitstop for some quickfire questions with McLaren F1 teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, before Laureus Academy Member Brian O’Driscoll visits Barking Sports 4 Change: a Laureus-supported initiative helping at-risk youth learn values and find purpose through rugby.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
