Britney Spears sent social media into a frenzy in 2020 when she claimed to have shattered Usain Bolt’s 100-meter world record, completing the dash in a mind-boggling 5.97 seconds. Bolt’s actual record, established at the Berlin World Athletics Championships in 2009, is 9.58 seconds, a time that has yet to be challenged. Spears made the claim on Instagram, captioning her post with excitement about overcoming her fears and “pushing it” to achieve the remarkable time.
The reaction was swift and overwhelmingly humorous, with fans and commentators pointing out the absurdity of her claim. Some even went as far as to create simulations to demonstrate just how fast Spears would have had to move for the feat to be possible. Despite the outlandish nature of her assertion, it became a viral moment, drawing both amusement and disbelief. Bolt, for his part, chose not to respond to the pop star’s playful boast.
Acknowledging the uproar, Spears later clarified that her claim was intended as a joke. In a follow-up post, she gave credit to Bolt’s incredible achievement, calling him the rightful record-holder. She humorously added that she still had her sights set on beating the record someday. Her clarification defused any lingering confusion and highlighted her lighthearted approach to the situation.
If Usain Bolt ran Britney Spears' 5.97 100m…https://t.co/lhYEotuyOM
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) March 27, 2020
This incident underscored not only Spears’ playful sense of humor but also the enduring legacy of Usain Bolt as the fastest man alive. The interplay of pop culture and sports brought a unique moment of levity, reminding fans of both icons that sometimes, it’s all right to have a laugh at the improbable.