We already know Usain Bolt is fast. A crapload (we believe that’s the technical term) of gold medals won over the past three Summer Olympic Games proves as much. Bolt is so fast, in fact, he can barely be contained by the pages of a book.
But what about in the “real” world when pitted against a bunch of average Janes and Joes? Or in this case, a somewhat pudgy James?
Actor and talk show host James Corden decided to find just how fast the Jamaican sprinter is, so he staged a race featuring himself, Bolt, and the “Late Late Show” staff. And Owen Wilson.
The event, billed as “the race sports fans have been waiting for” (according to the video’s narrator, anyway), featured “two titans of fitness going head to head.” Could Corden (or Wilson) hang with the nine-time Olympic gold medalist?
SPOILER ALERT:
No. No they could not.
Bolt wins the race. Obviously. And he seemingly expends very little energy in doing so. His light sprint took him across the line on the CBS parking lot track in roughly 11 seconds, just a smidge off his world-record time of 9.58 seconds.
For his part, Cordon didn’t come in last—and the staffers actually had a pretty good athlete or three in the mix. “I would have liked to have been in the top 15,” Corden said, “but, you know, it wasn’t my day.”
Bolt was game for the bit, clearly enjoying the comical yet somewhat staggering display of how much faster he is than the rest of the population of the planet.
“I’m the greatest, I’m No. 1, I’m Usain Bolt,” he said. “That’s what’s up.”
Owen Wilson, meanwhile, nearly was disqualified.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.