Usain Bolt is widely regarded as the fastest man in the world, having set the world record in the 100-meter dash at 9.58 seconds in 2009. However, there are a few individuals who have been able to outrun the Jamaican sprinter in different scenarios. Let's take a look at some of the people who are faster than Usain Bolt!
Christophe Lemaitre
Christophe Lemaitre is a French sprinter with a personal best of 9.92 seconds in the 100-meter dash. While this is not faster than Usain Bolt's world record, Lemaitre beat Bolt in a 100-meter race. In 2011, at the Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm, Lemaitre beat Bolt by 0.03 seconds, with a time of 9.95 seconds.
Patrick Smith/ Getty Images | Although he remains a controversial character in the sport, Gatlin is the most-medalled 100m runner ever at major championships
Justin Gatlin
American sprinter and world-record holder in the 100-meter dash, Justin Gatlin, has won numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals in international competitions, including Olympic gold in the 100-meter dash at the 2004 Athens Games.
Gatlin has a personal best of 9.74 seconds in the 100-meter dash, the second-fastest time in history behind Usain Bolt. Gatlin has also beaten Bolt in several races, including at the 2013 Diamond League Meeting in Rome.
Asafa Powell
Asafa Powell was the world record holder in the 100-meter dash before Usain Bolt broke it in 2008. Powell's best time in the 100-meter dash is 9.72 seconds, which he set in 2008. Powell has also beaten Bolt in several races, including the 2008 Jamaican Olympic trials.
Tyson Gay
Tyson Gay is an American sprinter who has won numerous medals in international competitions, including three gold medals at the 2007 World Championships. Gay has a personal best of 9.69 seconds in the 100-meter dash, which is the third-fastest time in history behind Bolt and Gatlin. Gay has also beaten Bolt in several races, including the 2010 Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm.
Martin Meissner/ The Associated Press | No one got closer to the imperious Usain Bolt at London 2012 than his training partner and fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake
Yohan Blake
Yohan Blake is a world-renowned sprinter from Jamaica who has won numerous international competitions, including two silver medals at the 2012 London Olympics. Blake has a personal best of 9.69 seconds in the 100-meter dash he set in 2012, which makes him the second-fastest man ever. Blake has also bested Bolt in several races, including the 2011 Jamaican National Championships.
Wayde van Niekerk
Wayde van Niekerk holds the world record in the 400-meter dash, which he set at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a time of 43.03 seconds. While van Niekerk has never competed against Bolt in the 100-meter dash, his time in the 400-meter dash is faster than Bolt's best time of 45.28 seconds.
Martin Meissner/ The Associated Press | Bailey also broke the indoor 50 meter world record in a time of 5.56 seconds, a record that still stands today.
Donovan Bailey
Donovan Bailey is a retired Canadian sprinter who won the gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Bailey's best time in the 100-meter dash is 9.84 seconds, which he set in 1996. While Bailey never competed against Bolt, his time is faster than Bolt's best time of 9.58 seconds.