Usain Bolt has to be considered the greatest track-and-field star, says legendary Michael Johnson

New Delhi: Athletics legend Michael Johnson feels world's fastest man Usain Bolt has surpassed the likes of him and Carl Lewis by his sheer consistency and can easily be considered the "greatest" track-and-field star in the world at this point.

Johnson cited that Bolt's consistency makes him the greatest.

"Neither Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis or myself has produced, in my opinion, the consistency and longevity that Usain Bolt has and so to this point he has to be considered the greatest,"said Johnson.

The Rio 2016 Olympics is coming up in August this year and Johnson, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said the Jamaican Bolt will be unstoppable if he remains fit for the mega show.

"If he's healthy, I don't think anyone can stop him in the Rio," Johnson said.

Bolt is in the running for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award along with Barcelona and Argentina football icon Lionel Messi and tennis ace Novak Djokovic among others.

But Johnson said the Jamaican sprint king is a clear favourite.

"Who can stop Bolt for the Laureus Award?" he said.

(With Agency inputs)