God of Sprint, Usain Bolt

Our next stop is the North America continent. For decades US held the hegemony in this sport particularly these events with an occasional burst of genius challenging its hold. On top of it this sport was maligned by doping scandals. Even the champions were not immune to this bug. This sport was considered the pinnacle of human speed and was slowly losing its appeal and it desperately needed someone who could bring back its glamour and establish the trust it had lost.

You may have guessed by now I am talking about the shortest sprint race categories and the sprinter who revived the respect of the whole athletic fraternity is none other than the 6 feet 5 inches tall, Jamaican God of sprint Usain St Leo Bolt.

Just to start off, the Sprinting God had entered the Olympics scene in 2004 and lost in the first round in his pet event 200 mts! Even by then he was an athlete of repute, 18-year-old newly minted professional. Looking back, we understand that he was rush in and his injury adding to the trouble. Good that happened, the next four years forged the greatest of all sprinters including winning a challenge with his coach that led to his entry into the 100 meters event. That is another story of legendary proportion!

Though Bolt was favourite for the 2008 Olympics no one was prepared for the display of craftsmanship, supreme confidence, great showmanship and lovable irreverence all in one package. He was one of the slowest off the block in the 100 meter event yet went to win the race with a world record time while having time to look back, celebrate and may be even sit down have his leisurely tea!! And you should have seen his confidence just before the start of the race. Every athlete was serious as they approached their blocks. Not Bolt, he had time to play around with the kid standing behind his starting block.

This was good enough to kindle the world’s attention toward, Bolt, sprints and the Olympic games. He then went on to break the decade old, nearly untouchable 200-meter record of Michael Johnson. That was a treat to watch with Johnson commenting live. What followed was the formality of the completing the triple medal by winning the 4*100 relay gold. 2008 showed the quintessential Bolt. He held the baton for the third leg but nearly ran till the finish line. Such was his enthusiasm, infectious.

By the end of 2008 Olympics a new start was born, the fruition of a longing for a pure genius, entertainer who is loved by millions, a kind and gentle person who will not only win but break records without breaking anybody’s heart (except for the competitors, may be). The world could not have enough of Bolt and he kept obliging. The next was the Berlin World Championships. World wanted more action, greater destruction of his own records and magic. Bolt simply got up, conjured and mesmerized. There was no stopping Bolt from there on. He was the favourite even on days when he was not at his best injured. He did lose races but that is beside the point. It only shows the respect, resolve the great man had.

He always delivered on the world championship and never slipped on the Olympic stage. His position as the legend of the sporting world was reaffirmed in London and cemented in Rio Olympics. In his own word – was a legend in 2012 and immortal in the 2016.  This was how he said he will be described after winning the races, before the respective Olympic games started.  He was sublime, beauty to watch and crowd always rooted for him. The 2016 Rio Olympic 100 meters final had me in knots and first 50 meters was as good as lost for the Bolt, then comes the kicker, I personally went through a range of emotions within those few minutes. Posting the race link for your pleasure!

I will sign off with a beautiful compilation of all of Usain Bolt’s Olympic finals with a bonus video of his first Olympic race.

End of Part 2

- to be continued, I promise we will move to a different part of the world and to a totally different sport to conclude the series. It will be my tribute to a very humble, quiet and a gentle superstar who is loved well beyond his national borders. Keep guessing, will come back to reveal the name!