Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Who Is Usain Bolt?
Usain St Leo Bolt is a Jamaican former professional sprinter who enjoyed an illustrious career in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4 x 100 meters relay.
Bolt is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time. He won Olympic gold medals a record eight times and is the only sprinter ever to have won Olympic 100 meter and Olympic 200 meter titles at three consecutive Olympic events (2008, 2012, and 2016). Bolt is also famous for his double sprint victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, each of which he set a new world record. That achievement made him the first person ever to have held both records since the introduction of ‘fully automatic time’ as a mandatory requirement.
Besides the Olympics, Usain Bolt also enjoyed an impressive career at the World Championship events. Bolt is considered the most accomplished male athlete in the World Championship tournaments, having won 11 World Championships. He’s best known for winning consecutive World Championship gold medals in 100 m, 200 m, and 4 x 100 m relay from 2009 to 2015, only missing the 100 m title in 2011 due to a false start.
Bolt decided to hang his boots after finishing third in his final solo 100 m race in the 2017 World Championships. Following this uncharacteristic performance, the Jamaican athletic legend bowed out of the 200 m race and pulled up in the 4 x 100 m relay final in the same event.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Usain St Leo Bolt |
| Popular Name: | Usain Bolt |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birth Date: | August 21, 1986 |
| Age: | 36 years |
| Parents: | Wellesley Bolt and Jennifer Bolt |
| Siblings: | Sadiki Bolt and Sherine Bolt |
| Birth Place: | Sherwood Content, Jamaica |
| Nationality: | Jamaican |
| Ethnicity: | Jamaican |
| Education: | Waldensia Primary School, William Knibb Memorial High School and University of Technology – Jamaica |
| Marital Status: | Unmarried but in a relationship with longtime girlfriend Kasi Bennett |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Olympia Lightning Bolt, Saint Leo, and Thunder Bolt |
| Dating: | Kasi Bennett |
| Net Worth: | USD 95 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Athletics, Endorsement Deals, and Entrepreneurial Ventures |
| Height: | 6′ 5″ (1.95 m) |
| Weight: | 94 kg; In pounds: 207 lbs. |
Early Life
Usain Bolt was born on August 21, 1986, in Sherwood Content, Jamaica, to Wellesley Bolt and Jennifer Bolt. His parents were small-scale traders who ran a local grocery store.
Bolt began his education at Waldensia Primary School and later proceeded to William Knibb Memorial High School for his secondary education. He subsequently attended the University of Technology – Jamaica.
Usain Bolt developed sporting interests while he was still a child. He frequently played street football and cricket with his brother Sadiki while living in his rural area of Sherwood Content.
Bolt started exhibiting his sprint potential while attending Waldensia Primary School. He participated in several sprinting events and by the age of 12, he was Waldensia’s fastest 100-meter sprinter.
After his primary education, Usain Bolt proceeded to William Knibb Memorial, where he continued to hone his athletic skills. In 2001, he won his first annual high school championships medal.
Career Information
Usain Bolt participated in the 2001 CARIFTA Games as a junior athlete. His most outstanding achievement at these tournaments included winning two silver medals in the 200-meter and 400-meter events. The same year, Bolt made his debut international appearance at the 2001 IAAF World Youth Championships held in Debrecen, Hungary. He participated in the 200-meter event but failed to make the finals.
Usain Bolt gained widespread recognition during the 2002 World Junior Championships held in Kingston, Jamaica. He won the 200-meter event and being only 15 years old, he became the youngest world-junior gold medalist ever. Besides his personal victory, Bolt also won 2 silver medals participating as a member of the Jamaican sprint relay team.
Bolt’s medals rush continued over the next few years following his superb performance at the 2002 World Junior Championships. Some of his notable wins over the next few years include 1 gold medal at the 2003 World Youth Championships and 4 gold medals at the 2003 CARIFTA Games.
After smashing numerous records as a junior athlete, Usain Bolt eventually turned professional in 2004. He debuted as a professional sprinter at the 2004 CARIFTA Games in Bermuda, where he became the first junior sprinter ever to have run the 200-meter race in under 20 seconds.
The following are Usain Bolt’s biggest achievements as a professional sprinter in the 100 m, 200 m, or 4 x 100-meter relay events:
• Olympic Games – 8 gold medals
• World Championships – 11 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal
• World Relays – 1 silver medal
• CAC Championships – 1 gold medal
• Commonwealth Games – 1 gold medal
• World Junior Championships – 1 gold medal and 2 silver medals
• World Youth Championships – 1 gold medal
Bolt retired from professional sprinting after registering a dismal performance at the 2017 World Championships. He now spends his time pursuing his hobbies, including music production and participating in other non-athletic sports.
Bolt has also made several film and television appearances during and post his athletic career. He appeared in the opening sketch of the October 13, 2012, broadcast of Saturday Night Live. He also starred in the pilot episode of the animation film SCRAM!
Usain Bolt’s Net Worth
Usain Bolt may have retired from professional athletics. But he remains one of the wealthiest and most accomplished sprinters of all time. As of 2023, Bolt had a net worth of $95 million.
During his active years on the track, Bolt earned a huge chunk of his wealth from cash prizes and sponsorship deals. Although he has since retired, the Jamaican sensation still brings in roughly $20 million annually from endorsement deals. Some of the notable brands he has signed endorsement contracts with include Puma, Nissan, Gatorade, Visa, Virgin Media, and Hublot.
Usain Bolt also earns from appearance fees. He reportedly charges between $250,000 and $300,000 for a track meet appearance.
Bolt is also an astute investor. In the corporate sector, he’s best known for being the co-founder of Bolt Mobility, a Miami-based electric vehicle company. The company raised $30 million in venture capital funding in March 2020.
Lessons from Usain Bolt
1. A jack of all trades is a master of none
Even if you’re multi-talented, it makes more sense to focus on one specific area. Usain Bolt understood this tip early enough, which explains why he gave up football and cricket in favor of sprinting.
2. A little act of patriotism can make a world of difference
After finishing high school, Bolt received several track scholarships from American colleges. However, he declined all of them and opted to continue representing his country on the global stage.
3. Know when to quit
Usain Bolt decided to retire from professional athletics after registering a dismal performance during the 2017 World Championships. Like many wise athletes, Bolt bowed out with his head high.
Famous Quotes by Usain Bolt
• A lot of legends, a lot of people, have come before me. But this is my time.
• Believe in your dreams and that anything is possible.
• There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher.
• Worrying gets you nowhere. If you turn up worrying about how you’re going to perform, you’ve already lost. Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself.
• You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success.
Conclusion
Usain Bolt is undeniably the greatest sprinter of all time. Bolt broke and set numerous records during his active years on the track. Although he has since retired, his name will live on for years to come.
