The Jamaican sprint great Usain Bolt says he has no regrets about his decision to retire from athletics in 2017 as he has accomplished everything he wants to in the sport.
Bolt will hang up his spikes following the world championships in London in August, bringing the curtain down on a career that has delivered eight Olympic gold medals.
Bolt who has been name world sportsman of the year at the international Laureus Sports awards in Monaco says he's done everything he wanted to do in the sport.
Usain Bolt heads off New Zealand sprinter Joseph Millar at a recent meet in Melbourne. Photo: Photosport
"I asked (former U.S. sprinter) Michael Johnson the same question, 'why did you retire when you were on top?'. He said the same -- he had done everything he had wanted to do in athletics so there was no reason to stay in the sport. Now I understand what he means."
Bolt completed a 'treble treble' of 100m, 200m and 4x100m Olympic titles at the 2016 Rio Games, but had his 2008 relay gold stripped last month after team mate Nesta Carter's re-tested sample showed traces of a banned substance.
Carter has said he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Bolt headed off back-to-back Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold medal winner Mo Farah, double Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray, Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and basketball duo Stephen Curry and LeBron James for the award.
Sophie Pascoe Photo: Photosport
New Zealand swimmer Sophie Pascoe missed out on the disabled sportsperson award which was won by Italian fencer Beatrice Vio.
American swimming legend Michael Phelps won comeback of the year.
World Sportswoman of the Year was won by American gymnast Simone Biles who won four gold medals in Rio.
Olympic rugby champions Fiji were pipped by motor racing driver Nico Rosberg for the Breakthrough of the Year award.
Fiji celebrate their Sevens victory at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Photosport
