The much-anticipated unveiling of a sculpture honouring track and field legend Usain Bolt, was done with the pomp and pageantry that met the expectations of all in attendance at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, including the man of the moment himself.

Amidst cheers and excitement at the moment of the unveiling, Bolt, was visibly proud and humbled to see the excellent work done by Basil Watson, who created the masterpiece that will remain a source of pride in the city for years to come.

In fact, the retired sprint legend, also received a proclamation that declared Friday, July 14, 2023, Usain Bolt Day in Miramar, and to top it off, he was presented with the keys to the City by Mayor Wayne Messam.

All this brought the famous idiom, “to the victor belong the spoils”, into sharp focus, as Bolt is indeed reaping the benefits of his success.

The iconic athlete is the only man to win the 100 and 200m at three consecutive Olympic Games (2008, 2012 and 2016) and he also set world records of 9.58 and 19.19 in the 100 and 200m, respectively at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. Both records still stand today, 14 years later.

Bolt also won 11 gold medals, 13 overall at the World Championships between 2007 and 2017 when he retired from the sport after winning bronze in the 100m in London.

For sure, Bolt left a few encouraging words for aspiring athletes in particular, during a brief press conference to accommodate members of the media at the ceremony.

“You must believe in yourself and believe it is possible. Even when you don’t feel like getting up, you need to show up and work hard at your craft and in the end, it will pay off,” Bolt said.

Bolt’s sculpture, which is the first installation of the City’s Art-in-Public-Places initiative, was the brainchild of Vice-Mayor Alexandra Davis, who was delighted that her vision had come to fruition.

“This statue of Usain Bolt will not only serve as a source of inspiration for our residents, but I believe it will also attract visitors from far and wide,” Davis said.

“As people come to witness the magnificence of this statue, they will discover the charm and vibrancy of our city, leading to increased tourism and economic opportunities for local businesses. The statue will become a point of pride for our community, a landmark that showcases our commitment to excellence, athleticism, and the celebration of human achievement,” she added.

Jamaica’s minister of sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange and members of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), were also in attendance at the unveiling ceremony that started with a banquet on Friday.

There was also a fundraising banquet and silent auction where Bolt memorabilia from his winning races were sold to the highest bidders, with proceeds benefiting the Usain Bolt Foundation and Do the Right Thing of Miramar, Inc.

On Saturday, hundreds of well-wishers turned out to see Bolt, who held a mini clinic with budding track stars, including aspiring Special Olympians, as he imparted knowledge about their start and form.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was also present and lent her voice to the proceedings.

 

At the heart of Jamaica's remarkable legacy in track and field, among the names that stand out as a symbol of excellence and inspiration is one Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

With a record five 100m world titles and two Olympic blue-ribbon titles to her name, Fraser-Pryce is part of a golden era of Jamaican sprinters that includes illustrious figures like Usain Bolt, Melaine Walker, Veronica Campbell Brown and many more.

Her journey from a young girl in Waterhouse to a global athletics icon is a testament to the power of determination and talent.

"It definitely feels good, I think for me, especially coming from, you know, Waterhouse, a young girl who didn't, you know, know where she would end up in the future," Fraser-Pryce shared in an interview with Black Enterprise.

"But to be able to be one of the icons of our country is really phenomenal. And being able to give inspiration to other young girls who are coming from similar situations as I was, or even now, being able to relate to where I'm at on my journey, whether it's on motherhood, age, or a lot of things. So being able to drive that, you know, here in my hometown, being able to say that I'm homegrown, being able to say that."

Fraser-Pryce's success has not only made her a sporting legend but also a hometown hero. She acknowledges the support of the people of Jamaica, saying, "A lot of who I am is because of the people of Jamaica and how much they have poured into me, and their support has always been so constant."

Representing her country and community fills her with immense pride, knowing that she carries their hopes and dreams with her on the world stage.

Being part of Jamaica's golden era of track and field athletes has driven Fraser-Pryce to continuously raise the bar.

"I think that helps us to elevate who we are as a country and as women when we step on the line to know that we have such a rich history when it comes to track and field," she stated. It motivates her to give her all, showcasing the strength and prowess of Jamaican athletes to the world.

Despite being a small island nation, Fraser-Pryce firmly believes that Jamaica's athletes have made a significant impact. "You always want to make sure that we, you know, we show up, and I show up, and being able to put our country first because we understand what limited resources mean," she said. Fraser-Pryce wants to inspire young athletes in Jamaica that greatness can be achieved even on their home turf with the right mindset and determination.

"We're little, but we tallawah," Fraser-Pryce emphasized. "It's not about the size but the punch. So we're able to really make a statement globally, and we're really appreciative of all that we've been able to accomplish."

Jamaica’s Sprint Legend Usain Bolt says he remains eager to play another impactful role in track and field’s growth and, as such, is awaiting a position from World Athletics to hit the ground running.

The 36-year-old, who shot to fame by winning eight Olympic titles and 11 World Championships gold medals, while breaking records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, believes the track and field has experienced somewhat of a decline since his retirement in 2017, but stands ready to assist in the sport’s revival, if asked to do so.

“I’m still waiting on a position from (World Athletics), I’ve reached out to them and let them know I would love to make a bigger impact in sports, as long as they want me to,” Bolt said in an interview with Reuters.

“We’ve been in talks, but we’ll have to wait and see what comes around,” the global phenom and one of Jamaica’s most recognizable figures, added.

Bolt is aware that his personality was a vital ingredient in the sport’s success during his era but pointed out to indications that athletes like US sprinter Noah Lyles, might be starting to fill the charisma gap.

“It’s going to be a process. After me, it kind of went down because of who I was as a person and how big my personality was,” the iconic sprinter shared. 

“But I think over time, it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport; hopefully, in the upcoming years, it will change. Hopefully, I can play a part and help the sport to grow,” Bolt stated.

While there was some disappointment about the crowd turnout at last year’s World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Bolt is of the view that next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, could be a special moment for the sport.

“Sometimes, it’s all about where it is. America is not the biggest track and field place,” Bolt said.

“I think Paris will be big because it’s accessible and I know Paris always has a good team and good athletes over the years. So, I look forward to that,” he noted.

After a decade of Bolt-inspired global dominance, Jamaica’s men have failed to win a single track gold medal at the last two World Championships.

However, with rising young sprinters Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake both showing considerable promise of success, Bolt believes there is a good platform for that medal drought to be broken at this year’s championships in Budapest, Hungary.

“Last year, Seville came fourth (in the 100m), so I was very impressed. Also now, there’s a young kid, Ackeem Blake, who is also stepping up. So, I think that’s a good start,” the 11-time world champion said.

“Hopefully, these two will motivate other youngsters to want to step up and want to train harder and dedicate themselves,” he reasoned.

On that note, Bolt said he would be keeping a close eye on compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the World Championships in August.

Fraser-Pryce, also 36, who has led Jamaica’s dominance in the women’s sprints, will be seeking a record-extending sixth world 100m title in Hungary, 14 years after making her debut in the global showpiece of track and field.

“I follow Shelly a lot because we came through the same era, so to see her continue sprinting and coming back from having a child, that’s impressive,” said Bolt.

The sixth time is the charm for Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who on Monday was named 2022 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year in Paris.

The 36-year-old track star, considered the greatest female 100m sprinter of all time, was rewarded for an incredible season during which she won an unprecedented fifth 100m world title in Eugene, Oregon and created even more history by becoming the first woman to run under 10.7 seconds for the 100m, a record seven times in the same season. 

After opening her season in Nairobi, Kenya, the two-time Olympic gold medallist ran times of 10.67, 10.67, 10.66, 10.67, 10.62 and 10.65 to cap an amazing season.

She also won a fifth Diamond League 100m title during the season.

“I was thrilled to be nominated alongside such inspiring female athletes,” said Fraser-Pryce, who got the nod ahead of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, footballer Alexia Putellas, tennis star Iga Świątek, swimmer Katie Ledecky and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin for the prestigious award.

“To win this award, voted for by some of the greatest sportsmen and women of all time, is just amazing. This is the sixth time I’ve been nominated in this category, so to finally hold the Laureus statuette in my hands is one of the greatest honours of my career.”

 Fraser-Pryce is the third Jamaican athlete to win the award. Elaine Thompson-Herah won in 2022 for her exploits in 2021, while Usain Bolt won in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2017.

Lifelong Manchester United fan Usain Bolt couldn’t help but express his gratitude to Erik Ten Hag for making the Red Devils a competitive force in world football once more.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist was on hand at Old Trafford on Sunday when Manchester United rallied from a goal down to defeat Fulham 3-1 in their FA quarter-final match.

After the controversial match in which Fulham had Willian and Aleksander Mitrovic sent off in the 72nd minute, Bolt caught up for the former Ajax boss, who now has United competing on all fronts this season and defeating Newcastle 2-0 to win the EFL Cup in February.

“The first thing I said to him was ‘thank you’. That’s the first thing I said and he was like ‘thanks for what?’ I was like ‘for bringing the glory days back’,” Bolt revealed to media about his conversation with Ten Hag.

“It feels good to watch Manchester now. The team is together, they’re as one. They’re working together, they’re working hard and you can see the purpose now, you can see the determination in the way they play.

“I was very happy with his progress and I can tell that he’s going to do a lot more. We have a lot more trophies in our future so I’m excited.”

As for the future, Bolt wanted to know who the boss wanted to bring in during the summer to continue transforming the club.

“I actually asked him about who we’re going to bring in in the summer and he was like ‘do you have any ideas?’. It was a nice, simple but fun conversation,” the 100 and 200m world record holder said.

 

Usain Bolt suggested he would give up his success on the track for Champions League glory.

Bolt is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time and holds the world records in the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 × 100 metres relay.

The Jamaican won eight Olympic gold medals across his career.

However, athletics is not the only sport Bolt loves. A Manchester United fan, Bolt said in 2016 that it would be "a dream come true" if he were ever able to play for the club.

In 2018, Bolt appeared in a friendly for Norwegian side Stromsgodset and captained the World XI during the Soccer Aid charity match, held at Old Trafford. Later that year, he began a trial with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners and was subsequently offered a contract.

Though his football career was short-lived, Bolt has no regrets over how it went, and revealed he would happily swap his achievements to have won the Champions League.

"To play a career as long as these guys, definitely," Bolt told ITV Sport ahead of United's FA Cup meeting with Fulham on Sunday, referencing pundits Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Karen Carney.

"I love football that much. To win the Champions League, score in the final, would be brilliant.

"[Playing football] was something I always wanted to try. I watched and loved the game so much – why not give it a try?

"I was very serious but it didn't work out as I wanted it to. I really enjoyed the effort and the process."

Asked what position he preferred, Bolt quipped: "I was a striker – of course! The pace, I'm quicker than [Marcus] Rashford!"

Reigning World 100m champion Fred Kerley has described Jamaica’s Usain Bolt as the gold standard of sprinting, saying he and others have been inspired by the iconic Jamaican, who holds the world records in both 100 and 200m.

Kerley returned to the United States recently after a stint in Australia where he clocked a fast 20.32 in a 200m race at the Maurie Plant Meet in February before storming to victory in 44.65 over 400m at the Sydney Track Classic last Saturday.

In a subsequent interview on ABC Radio in Australia, Kerley, who has a wild-card entry to the World Championships in Budapest in August, said he plans to add to the gold medal he won last year in Oregon but ultimately wants to win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

His career goal, however, is surpassing Usain Bolt’s accomplishments. The Jamaican is the only man to win the sprint double at three consecutive Olympic Games and holds the Olympic records of 9.63 and 19.30 in the 100m and 200m, respectively.

“He inspired a lot of generations,” Kerley said of Bolt. “We try to duplicate or step foot where he stepped foot on. He is the golden standard for track and field. We all try to achieve all he achieved in his lifetime.”

Though he would love to be able to break the Jamaican’s world records, winning gold medals remains his top priority, Kerley said.

“For us to step in the same journey is all about the gold medals and stuff right now,” he reasoned. “The more gold medals I get, the more I can put in the history book. Records come and go, but golds last forever.”

 

Usman Khawaja "went Usain Bolt" to make his flight to India after a series of hold-ups delayed the batsman's departure from Australia ahead of this week's first Test.

Khawaja was forced to remain in Brisbane after not receiving a visa in time to make his scheduled flight last week, before two delayed flights further frustrated his bid to reach India. 

The batter was eventually forced to race through Delhi Airport to make the final leg of his journey to Bangalore, where he met up with his Australia team-mates ahead of the four-Test tour.

"I went Usain Bolt trying to make my connection," Khawaja told cricket.com.au. "I somehow got on that flight – the last flight of the whole night – and got here. 

"From the time I left Melbourne to here it was 24 hours. That's just life, you just have to deal with it. It's no biggie, I'm here now and ready to go."

While the delay meant Khawaja only managed a single training session before Australia departed for Nagpur ahead of the first Test starting on Thursday, he does not believe it will have an impact when the series gets under way.

He also shrugged off David Warner's claim of being "exhausted" ahead of the tour, saying: "Trying to get on seven different flights to get to India, then get here – we're all tired, we're all fatigued.

"That's just part and parcel of being a cricketer. Once you're on the field, it's just game on. It's the same with Davey.

"I've scored runs a lot of times when I have been tired and fatigued, you just have to find a way sometimes. I'm sure Davey will find a way."

India have only lost one of their last 15 men's Tests at home to Australia, while their current run of three successive series triumphs against the Aussies is the longest in their history.

However, Australia have only lost one of their last 10 Test series (W7 D2), and they could rack up three consecutive series wins for the first time since February 2016.

The man at the centre of a JMD$3 billion fraud investigation involving investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited, eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt on Friday declared his loyalty to Jamaica and that he is not broke despite the potential loss of an estimated US$12 million or about JMD$2 billion.

Usain Bolt, the greatest sprinter of all time, is to be honoured with the BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement Award next week Wednesday at Media City in the United Kingdom, according to reports.

Bolt, 36, retired in 2017 as the only man to win the 100m and 200m at three consecutive Olympic Games and is the holder of the world record in both sprints.

Those records of 9.58 and 19.19, respectively, were set at the 2009 Berlin World Championships. Bolt is also a 11-time world champion.

Bolt is a four-time winner of the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award. He was also Jamaica’s Sportsman of the Year on seven occasions and was five-time winner of World Athletics Sportsman of the Year Award.

 

Jamaican eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Brunel University London.

The 100m and 200m world record holder, who retired in 2017, trained at Brunel many times during his career, including in the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics where he won three gold medals.

“I want to thank Brunel University for this honorary degree. I really appreciate it,” said Bolt while accepting his award via video.

“I have only fond memories of training at Brunel, you guys really helped me conquer the world, and I must say I really appreciate that,” Bolt added.

The 11-time world championships gold medallist also addressed Brunel University London graduates gathered inside the Indoor Athletics Centre in Uxbridge.

“I want to say to the graduates, hard work does pay off, just remember that the road won’t be easy, there will be ups and downs, and you will fail,” he said.

“But always remember, learn from your failure and try again. Never give up on your dream, because as a young man I never knew I’d be this great. Always work hard, dedicate yourself, and remember, anything is possible, don’t take limits,” Bolt added.

The Trinidad and Tobago men’s 4x100-metre team who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics can now call themselves gold medallists 14 years later.

Richard Thompson, Marc Burns, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Aaron Armstrong received their medals in a short Olympic medal reallocation ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, Tuesday.

At the 2008 Olympics, Jamaica won the men’s 4x100m event, led by legendary sprinter Usain Bolt.

However, in 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed that Nesta Carter, who ran the lead-off leg for the Jamaican quartet, had violated the anti-doping code by testing positive for methylhexaneamine.

Jamaica was subsequently disqualified and T&T, who had earned silver, were announced as the new winners.

At the ceremony on Tuesday, IOC president Thomas Bach said the IOC's goal was to protect the clean athletes and that he knew the T&T athletes would have liked to experience such a special moment at the 2008 Games

After Bach spoke, the T&T athletes were introduced and brought on stage. After receiving their medals, president of the T&T Olympic Committee Diane Henderson presented all the athletes with a bouquet of flowers.

The national anthem was played and then pictures were taken with the T&T flag.

The athletes were accompanied by members of their family.

 

Tokyo Olympics triple gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah has won the Laureus Sportswoman Award for 2022. In doing so, she became the first Jamaican female athlete to win the coveted award that began in 2000.

The 29-year-old Thompson-Herah created history in Tokyo last year when she became the first woman in Olympic history to win the 100m and 200m titles at consecutive Olympic Games. She won the 100m in 10.61, breaking the previous record of 10.62 set by American Florence Griffith Joyner at the Seoul Games in 1988.

She then won the 200m in a lifetime best of 21.53, the second-fastest time in history. She won a third gold medal as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team that set a national record of 41.02, the third-fastest time in history.

However, she was only getting started. Following the Olympics, she ran 10.54, the second-fastest time in history, to win the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Oregon and then ran times of 10.64 and 10.65 to become the only woman in the history of the sport to run the 100m in under 10.70 four times.

“I really don’t think I can really express how it feels to be nominated amongst these wonderful and super talented ladies across their respective disciplines but to think that I could come out as the chosen winner of this prestigious award is just mind-blowing for me,” Thompson-Herah posted on Instagram in reaction to the news beneath a photograph of her holding her award.

“I would like to thank the Laureus Sports Academy for this wonderful recognition. I want to thank all my friends and family who have continuously supported me throughout my journey.”

She also thanked her sponsors Flow Jamaica, NCB Jamaica and Nike as well as her many fans.

“My fans, my fans! I love you guys so much, continue to motivate and pray for me as I set out to continuously rewrite the record books.”

Only one other Jamaican athlete has ever won the Laureus Sports Award. Usain Bolt won the Sportsman of the Year Award in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2017.

Formula One driver Max Verstappen won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award after winning his first title albeit under controversial circumstances.

 

When you think about the greatest athletes of all time in any sport, Jamaica’s eight-time Olympic gold medallist and multiple world record holder Usain Bolt, will always come to mind.

Bolt, who retired in 2017, dominated global athletics for a decade winning the 100/200m sprint double in an unprecedented three consecutive Olympic Games (2008, 2012 and 2016). He also won the sprint double at the 2009, 2013, and 2015 World Championships to go along with the 200m title he won in Daegu in 2011. Bolt's world records of 9.58 and 19.19 set in 2009, have remained unchallenged for more than a decade. 

His dominance was something many expected when they first saw him and track & field pundit and four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon is no different.

“I always thought Bolt could be special if somebody bridged that gap between his junior success and getting into the pros and his coach Glen Mills did that,” Boldon said in an interview with Athletics Weekly.

Boldon recalled how remarkable Bolt was the first time he ever saw him compete.

“The first time I saw him was actually a long way before the rest of the world was paying attention. He was at the Caribbean Games in 2004 and he set the World U20 200m record, clocking 19.93. It lasted all the way until last year,” he said. The USA Erriyon Knighton broke Bolt's U18 and U20 world records in 2021.

“He had his chain tucked into his mouth and he took the last 100m off. He was looking at girls in the stand and could’ve waved to the crowd, he was so far in front. He ran 19.93! Imagine a junior doing that? I’d never seen anybody that tall move their legs that quickly. Of course, he went to the Athens Olympics later on that year and didn’t get through the first round. Then in 2005, he re-emerges and he’s on the pro circuit,” he added.

Bolt’s rise didn’t come without setbacks as in 2005, he got to the final of the Men’s 200m at the World Championships in Helsinki and was in position for a medal before he pulled up injured with about 60 metres to go, finishing eighth in 26.27.

“Two years later in 2007, he gets the World 200m silver medal (in Osaka, Japan) behind Tyson Gay and he arrives. Everyone knows what then happened in Beijing in 2008,” Boldon said.

"As they say, the rest is history."

Usain Bolt has been revealed as a co-owner of esports group WYLDE.

WYLDE (What You Love Doing eSports) was founded two years ago by former JP Morgan investment banker Steve Daly and David Cronin and is based in Dublin, Ireland.

The Irish esports organisation revealed that the Jamaican sprinter will be “involved in a range of activities focused on elevating Wylde’s growing brand”, according to reports.

The 35-year-old Bolt, who retired in 2017, after a career in which he won eight Olympic gold medals, is considered the greatest sprinter of all time. He owns world records of 9.58 and 19.19 for the 100m and 200m, respectively.

“WYLDE is on a journey to becoming one of the biggest brands in the fastest growing sport in the world. In esports, like in track and field, it’s critical to have that competitive, winning mentality,” said Bolt.

“I look forward to working with the WYLDE leadership team to help our players to reach their potential, while also taking care of their physical and mental wellbeing”.

Cronin, a founding shareholder of Irish technology company QUMAS, believes the partnership with the track and field legend will serve to enhance WYLDE global appeal.

“Usain coming on board takes WYLDE to the next level,” he said.

“With his vast competitive experience and Olympic-winning mentality, his guidance will be invaluable as we continue to build professional structures to support the development of our players.”

Bolt, a rabid gamer, teased news of the development on Twitter on Tuesday.

“It’s my time to own a professional sports team. Super excited! Get ready for something big,” he tweeted to his 4.8 million followers.

 

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