The eight-time Olympic gold medallist made an appearance on the Obi One podcast to talk about his illustrious career and who is poised to take the baton as the fastest man alive. While Noah Lyles, who has always boldly made his intentions to surpass the Jamaican in the history books clear, and reigning 100m champion Marcell Jacobs are in the running, Bolt named rising star Knighton as the talent who's hot on his heels.

"There is one kid who had my attention for a while. His name is Knighton, from the States. He ran 19.40-something. He's only just turning 20. So he was pretty good. But it's all about developing the talent. You have to find a good coach, someone to nurture and understand how to nurture the talent and help to build that talent,” Bolt said. 

Knighton ran one of the fastest U20 times in the 200m, clocking an impressive 19.49 seconds in 2022: a time that was not ratified by World Athletics. Another of Knighton's 200m times,19.69s, stands as the world U20 record and his U18 of 19.84 also still stands. Knighton has lowered the U20 standard, previously held by Usain Bolt with 19.93, multiple times.

The youngest-ever athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship in an individual competition, Knighton took the bronze in the 200m category at the 2022 World Championship at just 18 years of age.

The young sprinter secured his Olympic berth with a third-place finish at the US Olympic Trials last month. Paris will be his second appearance at the Games following the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 where the then 17-year-old finished fourth. 

Ahead of the Paris Olympics Knighton won the men's 200m Friday at the Holloway Pro Classic in Florida. "It was a good tune-up race heading to the Olympics," Knighton remarked in his post-race interview. "I feel like I did good, so I am ready."