Back in the late 40's, early 50's Jamaica had the three fastest 400m sprinters in the world in George Rhoden, Herb McKenley and Arthur Wint (800 also). They along with 100/200 cat Les Laing totally demolished the 4x4 world record. This is where we first saw that Jamaican sprint prowess.
Jamaican born.
Ben Johnson Olympic champ for Canada
Linford Christie Olympic champ for GB
Donovan Bailey Olympic champ for Canada
Yohan Blake World Champion
Dennis Johnson 9.3 WR holder
Ray Stewart ranked number one in the world
Asafa Powell king of the sub10.00
Lennox Miller Olympic silver/bronze
Don Quarrie Olympic gold, silver
A gang of cats like Nesta Carter, Steve Mullings, Nikel Ashmeade, Michael Frater and on and on........
Only the 300 mill plus USA can come close to comparing to that.
Bolt came up as a 400, 200m sprinter, he spent years training asa long sprinter. So his speed endurance is in a whole other level than just 100m cats, then ya add that 6-5 stride, yep...THE FREAK
1951 Wotld Rankings
1951
1.......................George Rhoden (Jamaica)
2........................Herb McKenley (Jamaica)
3.............................. Arthur Wint (Jamaica)
4.....................................
Mal Whitfield (US)
5....................................Charlie Moore (US)6.................................... Maiocco (US)7.................Hans Geister (West Germany)8............... Schalk Booysen (South Africa)9......Karl-Friedrich Haas (West Germany)
10...................................John Bradley (US