Nobody has Bolt’s star power currently or even Carl Lewis/Michael Johnson.
Sha’Carri or Lyles are probably the closest thing in the US.
I’m sure Jakob gets a lot of attention in Europe.
But...as someone said, what country? I agree Bolt, with his size and star power, is most recognizable. But I bet he could go months walking around the US without being recognized (unless at a track meet)
If you are broadening to "sports star" then I 100% disagree. A gigantic percent of people who watch any sports at all or have a TV would recognize Tom Brady, Lebron James, Lance Armstrong, Michaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Phelps ...Olympic glory + unique look +lots of ads = recognizable outside sport. Ryan Crouser/Bolt on the bubble. Felix/Mclaughlin/Mu/Lyles on bubble in the US. Olympics are important, non sports enthusiasts watch the olympics. In the spirit of the OPs question, I think Bolt is by far the most recognizable track dude and he wouldn't touch the star recognizability of the ones I just listed.
So, no, outside the home country, track stars fairly anonymous
If you are broadening to "sports star" then I 100% disagree. A gigantic percent of people who watch any sports at all or have a TV would recognize Tom Brady, Lebron James, Lance Armstrong, Michaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Phelps ...Olympic glory + unique look +lots of ads = recognizable outside sport. Ryan Crouser/Bolt on the bubble. Felix/Mclaughlin/Mu/Lyles on bubble in the US. Olympics are important, non sports enthusiasts watch the olympics. In the spirit of the OPs question, I think Bolt is by far the most recognizable track dude and he wouldn't touch the star recognizability of the ones I just listed.
So, no, outside the home country, track stars fairly anonymous
I follow sports a lot and have no idea who Michaela Shiffrin is and most people have no clue who Shuan White is.
One of the shot putters would get noticed but probably because people would think they're a body builder or NFL player. I couldn't recognize Crouser or Kovacs, but I could clearly notice that they are a ridiculous athlete. That's field though but probably close enough to the purpose of this post
This post was edited 35 seconds after it was posted.
I don't think there's an individual (living or dead) in the world who would fit this criteria, let alone a track star.
Who would everyone say is the most famous and/or recognisable figure, living or dead?
The most famous living person is probably either Obama or Prince Charles. Queen Elizabeth or Princess Diana might have been the most famous when they were alive.
It's hard to beat a US President or British royalty for worldwide fame.
If you are broadening to "sports star" then I 100% disagree. A gigantic percent of people who watch any sports at all or have a TV would recognize Tom Brady, Lebron James, Lance Armstrong, Michaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Phelps ...Olympic glory + unique look +lots of ads = recognizable outside sport. Ryan Crouser/Bolt on the bubble. Felix/Mclaughlin/Mu/Lyles on bubble in the US. Olympics are important, non sports enthusiasts watch the olympics. In the spirit of the OPs question, I think Bolt is by far the most recognizable track dude and he wouldn't touch the star recognizability of the ones I just listed.
So, no, outside the home country, track stars fairly anonymous
Shiffrin does not have "unique look." Neither does White without his carrot top.
And 99% of people outside the US would not recognize Giselle Bundchen's ex-husband.
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.