|
|
|
JockBio
Vital Stats |
|
• Sprinter |
• Country: Jamaica |
• |
|
• Height:
6' 5" |
• Weight:
207 |
• Born: 8/21/86 |
|
- One of Usain’s all-time heroes was Jamaican track star Herb McKenley. McKenley was in his 80s when he passed away in 2007.
- Usain attended the Waldensia Primary and All-Age School as a boy.
- Usain was offered track scholarships by several U.S. schools but chose to live and train in his home country.
- Usain received the 2002 and 2003 IAAF Rising Star Award.
- By the age of 16, Usain had surpassed the times Michael Johnson had recorded at age 19.
- In 2004 Usain ran the 200 meters in 19.93 seconds. No junior sprinter had ever broken the 20-second barrier,
- In 2008, Usain became the first runner since fellow Jamaican Donald Quarrie to hold the world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters simultaneously.
- Usain’s world record time in 2008 in Beijing came in the face of a slight headwind.
- Usain’s gold medal in the 100 meters was the first for Jamaica at the 2008 Olympics.
- By the end of the 2008 season, nine of the 10 fastest times in the history of the 100 meters had been recorded by either Usain or Asafa Powell.
- Usain was awarded the Order of Distinction by Jamaica for his 2008 Olympic accomplishments.
- Usain ran in a pair of golden Pumas during the 2008 Olympics.
- When Usain crossed the finish line for his Olympic victory in the 100 meters, his shoelace was untied.
- Usain’s dad attributes his son’s speed to “Yam Power.” Usain also admits to loving chicken nuggets.
- After the 2008 Olympics Usain donated $50,000 to the children of Sichuan Province who suffered in the earthquakes of that year.
- In 2009, Usain was named IAAF Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row.
- Usain’s 2010 loss to Tyson Gay in the 100 meters happened in the same stadium where he lost in the 100 to Asafa Powell two years earlier.
- Usain’s 19.40 in the 200 meters at the 2011 World Championships was the fastest time ever for a non-world record.
- When Usain won the 100 meters in London in 2012, he became the first person since Carl Lewis to defend an Olympic sprint title. After winning the 200, Usain became the first to defend two titles.
- After crossing the finish line in the 200 meters at the 2012 Olympics, Usain did five push-ups—one for each of his gold medals at that point.
- In 2011, Usain attended the UEFA Champions League Final as the guest of Manchester United. He said he wanted a tryout with the club after he retires from running.
- Prior to the 2012 Olympics, Usain released a free Bolt! app. It quickly became one of the most downloaded mobile games.
- The British Olympic Committee received over a million ticket requests for the August 5th 100 meters final at the 2002 Summer Games—enough to fill the 40,000-seat stadium more than 25 times.
- In 2012, Usain impersonated Sir Richard Branson in a Virgin Media ad promoting its fast broadband service.
- Usain is a hardcore video gamer. He often plays Call Of Duty: Black Ops online.
|
Donald Quarrie,
1972 Track & Field News
Asafa Powell booklet
|