I realised I was put on Earth to give people joy
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt on second chances, divine intervention – and how he now just runs after his three children
From humble beginnings in Jamaica, to becoming the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt has always been a family man.
“My dad was really strict, mum I could get away with a lot,” says the greatest sprinter of all time.
The 37-year-old holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. In 2016 he created history, by becoming the only sprinter in history to win the 100m and 200m at three consecutive Olympics.
“When I was younger they were my driving force. I was more focused on doing it for my country and my parents. I never thought about myself once. It was, ‘I can’t let them down’.
“Growing up I didn’t have much and that helped drive me to free myself. I wanted to take care of my parents, so they could stop working and they didn’t have to worry.
“At the end of my career it was, ‘Yes I’ve done it, I can sit back, I can provide for my family’.”
Usain retired from professional track and field in 2017.
Now a keen philanthropist, amongst other charity work he set up The Usain Bolt Foundation to support the cultural and educational development of children in Jamaica.
“My parents have always helped people, helped the community, even when they didn’t have much. So I’ve tried to help people as much as possible too. My parents say stop trying to give away all your money,” he laughs.
It’s helped him to embrace his spiritual side too, he says. And indeed, there have been several times where Usain has encountered something of divine intervention.
“After my first Olympics, I had a really bad car accident in 2009. And when I came out of that car wreck with no issues whatsoever I couldn’t believe it. It changed my perspective on life,” says Usain, who admits he’d enjoyed the odd party and suffered from a lack of focus at the time.
“It changed me and I buckled down a lot more. It helped me open my eyes – God gave me a talent.
“I realised I was put on this Earth to run and I needed to bring joy to people and inspire the world.
“From then on I was more careful and I sacrificed more. I wanted to use my talent in the right way.”
In 2012, divine intervention struck again.
“That season I’d lost to Yohan Blake at the
World Championship trials,” Usain says.
“My mum randomly called me and said, ‘Are you OK?’ She said God told her to call me. ‘Don’t worry,’ she said, ‘You’ll be fine’.”
It was the confidence boost Bolt needed as he went on to complete a clean sweep of gold medals at the
London Olympics in the 100m, 200m and the 4 x 100m relay. As he looks back over a quite extraordinary career, Usain is philosophical.
“If I understood track and field at a younger age, and what it takes, it’s scary to say but I’d have been way better. The world has not seen the best of Usain Bolt,” he says.
But he chose balance, he says, at the detriment of being even better.
“At times I needed to blow off steam and go out and have fun. Some athletes can just train, train, train. But after training so much it would feel like I was losing my mind. So me and my coach had an understanding. I would give him two solid weeks or something, and he would give some time for myself. If I was one of those athletes who could just carry on it would have been different, even better.”
Ever the family man, and now a father himself, these days Usain can mostly be found at home in Kingston, Jamaica, running after the three children he shares with partner Kasi Bennett.
Daughter, Olympia Lightning, was born in May 2020, and twin sons, Thunder and Saint Leo came along in June 2021.
“It’s good to be able to sit back now. For me, music now is slightly replacing track and field and something I think I could get into.
“I might start a club or a bar. I’m in no rush. My kids are young so I’m trying to be with them as much as possible.
“When I’m around friends and family that’s the happiest I’ll be. Just talking. Oh, and playing dominos.”
Listen to the Thinking Deepa podcast on Youtube
Growing up, I didn’t have much and that helped drive me to free myself