Usain Bolt

Runner
Date Of Birth:
21 August 1986
Place Of Birth:
Trelawny, Jamaica
Best Known As:
The Jamaican sprinter who won 100- and 200-meter gold medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics
Usain Bolt became known as the world's fastest man in 2008, the year he ran the 100 meters in a spectacular 9.69 seconds at the Beijing Olympic Games. He went on to win the race again at the Olympics of 2012 and 2016, cementing his reputation as one of the great sprinters of all time. Born in Jamaica, Usain Bolt was a speedster from the start: he was only 15 when he won a gold medal in the 200 meters at the 2002 World Junior Championships. He turned pro in 2004 and ran in the Olympics that year, but injuries and a genetic curvature of his spine delayed his development. In 2008, healthy and grown to a height of 6'5", he exploded onto the scene by breaking the world record for the 100 meters with a run of 9.72 seconds in New York City on May 31st. At the Summer Olympics three months later, Bolt won three gold medals in the 100 meters (9.69 seconds), 200 meters (19.30 seconds), and 4x100 meter relay (37.10 seconds), all world-record times. Bolt gained almost as much fame for how he finished the 100 meters: easing up to raise his arms and pound his chest in celebration even before he crossed the finish line. The next year, in Berlin, he ran the 100 meters in a stunning 9.58 for a new record, more than a tenth of a second faster than anyone else had ever run the race. In 2012 he again won Olympic gold in the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the 4x100 relay at the Summer Games in London. Four years later Bolt was back at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, again winning gold in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 relay races. He thus became the first sprinter to win all three golds in three straight Olympics. Bolt retired from racing in 2017.
Extra Credit

Usain Bolt is 6’5″ tall (or 1.95 meters), according to his official site… Usain Bolt’s 9.72 in the 100 meters in 2008 broke the record of a fellow Jamaican, Asafa Powell, who had run 9.74 in 2007… Usain Bolt was born with scoliosis, a curvature of the lower spine, making his running exploits all the more remarkable. “My spine’s really curved bad. But if I keep my core and back strong, the scoliosis doesn’t really bother me,” he told ESPN Magazine in 2011… Usain Bolt is known for his speed both on and off the track: he survived crashes while driving BMWs in 2009 and 2012… His fellow Jamaican Elaine Thompson also swept the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints at the 2016 Olympics.

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