Usain Bolt Joins Panel to Judge World Athletics Photo of the Year

Usain Bolt has taken on a new role in the sport, moving from the track to the judging panel. The Jamaican sprint icon is one of five experts tasked with selecting the World Athletics Photograph of the Year for 2026.

Bolt will help review all eligible entries and pick three finalists for the prestigious photography award. He joins a panel of distinguished figures, including Olympic gold medallist Dawn Harper-Nelson and seasoned professionals like Christel El Saneh, the Digital Creative Manager at World Athletics, and Pascal Rondeau, who served as venue photo manager at Tokyo 2020 and photo chief for Paris 2024. The group is rounded out by photographer and filmmaker Dan Vernon, who has over a decade of experience in the field. Bolt's own career, filled with iconic moments frozen in time, gives him a unique perspective on the power of an image.

The contest is open to any professional photographer who covered an athletics event in 2026. Entries close on October 30, 2026. The expert panel, including Bolt, will then deliberate and reveal the three finalists on November 9. A public vote will be held on World Athletics' Instagram channel from November 9 to 15 to help determine the ultimate winner. The final result will be announced on November 28, just one day before the World Athletics Awards ceremony in Monaco on November 29.

Bolt's legacy continues to permeate popular culture in unexpected ways. A recent viral video featured a Corgi winning a race and glancing back at its competitors, a move instantly dubbed "the Usain Bolt look-back" by observers. It is a sign that his influence stretches far beyond official judging panels and into the everyday language of competition.

• Key Panelist: Usain Bolt joins four other experts to judge the World Athletics Photograph of the Year.
• Entry Deadline: Professional photographers have until October 30, 2026 to submit their work.
• Public Vote: Fans can participate in the final decision via a World Athletics Instagram vote from November 9 to 15.
• Award Date: The winner will be revealed on November 28, ahead of the Monaco awards gala.