Usain Bolt may have retired from the track in 2017, but the fastest man in history is as busy as ever. In May 2025 he was named Jamaica's Global Tourism Ambassador, and a month later he became the first ambassador for Expo 2027 in Belgrade.
Over a decade at the top, Bolt turned sprinting into must-see entertainment, with world records, a lightning-bolt pose and a smile that won over the world. Here is his story. Browse the athletics collection as you read.
Usain Bolt Fact File
| Full name | Usain St. Leo Bolt |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 August 1986 (age 40) |
| Place of birth | Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m) |
| Events | 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Current status | Retired (2017); Jamaica Global Tourism Ambassador |
| Nickname | Lightning Bolt |
Career History
| Year | Championship | Gold medals |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | World Juniors, Kingston | 200m |
| 2008 | Olympics, Beijing | 100m, 200m |
| 2009 | World Championships, Berlin | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
| 2011 | World Championships, Daegu | 200m, 4x100m |
| 2012 | Olympics, London | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
| 2013 | World Championships, Moscow | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
| 2015 | World Championships, Beijing | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
| 2016 | Olympics, Rio | 100m, 200m, 4x100m |
Gold medals only. His 2008 Olympic relay gold was removed in 2017 because of a teammate's doping violation, leaving him with eight Olympic golds and 11 world titles.
Early Years: A Teenage Sensation
Bolt grew up in the rural parish of Trelawny and showed his speed early. At the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, aged just 15, he won 200m gold in front of a home crowd, an early glimpse of the star to come. Tall for a sprinter, he was first seen as a 200m specialist before moving up to the 100m.
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The Breakthrough: Beijing 2008
Bolt burst onto the global stage at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, winning the 100m and the 200m. A year later at the Berlin World Championships he went even faster, running 9.58 seconds in the 100m on 16 August 2009 and 19.19 in the 200m four days later. Both are still world records.
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The Peak: London and Rio
At London 2012 Bolt retained both sprint titles and anchored Jamaica to a 4x100m world record of 36.84. In Rio four years later he did it all again, completing the "triple triple" of 100m and 200m golds at three straight Olympics. He was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year four times.
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Later Career: Farewell and Football
Bolt retired after the 2017 World Championships in London, where he took bronze in his last 100m. In 2018 he tried football with Australian club Central Coast Mariners and scored twice in a friendly, though the trial ended without a contract.
Honours
Olympics (8 golds)
- Beijing 2008: 100m, 200m
- London 2012: 100m, 200m, 4x100m
- Rio 2016: 100m, 200m, 4x100m
World Championships
- 11 gold medals (2009–2015)
World records
- 100m: 9.58 (Berlin, 2009)
- 200m: 19.19 (Berlin, 2009)
- 4x100m: 36.84 with Jamaica (London, 2012)
Awards
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017
Away From the Track
Bolt remains one of Jamaica's best-known faces. He was named the country's Global Tourism Ambassador in 2025 and is the first ambassador for Expo 2027 Belgrade.
FAQs
How old is Usain Bolt?
Usain Bolt is 40. He was born on 21 August 1986.
Where was Usain Bolt born?
He was born in Sherwood Content, in the parish of Trelawny, Jamaica.
How tall is Usain Bolt?
Bolt is 6 ft 5 in, or about 1.95 metres, unusually tall for a sprinter.
What is Usain Bolt's 100m world record?
His 100m world record is 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
How many Olympic gold medals did Usain Bolt win?
He won eight Olympic golds, after his 2008 relay gold was removed because of a teammate's doping violation.
Did Usain Bolt play football?
Yes. In 2018 he trained with Central Coast Mariners in Australia and scored twice in a friendly, but no contract was agreed.
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Usain Bolt Men's Hoodie
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Ronaldo Nazário: R9, O Fenômeno and the Most Complete Striker Ever and Thierry Henry: Arsenal's Greatest and the King of Highbury.
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