(CNN)He is the undoubted superstar of athletics, a man who has transcended his sport and will be remembered as a great. But eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has warned that one individual cannot save his sport once he has retired.
Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, has been the dominant figure in athletics for almost a decade. But he will be competing for the last time at the World Athletics Championships in London, which begin Friday.
"It's all about the athletes. The athletes really understand where the sport is at and what they have to do it'll be fine," Bolt told CNN.
In tipping Olympic 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk as track and field's next superstar, he also cautioned that other athletes must take up the mantle he will leave behind.
"Wayde has really picked up, is breaking world records, he's running fast, he's doing a lot for the sport at such a young age.
"He's just 24 so, for me, he will take over without a doubt and he says he wants to be a sprinter.
"If he runs 100m and 200m, hopefully, he'll run fast times and get some energy back and other athletes can see where they can also help," added Bolt.