Usain Bolt

Bolt's famous pose after a race. (https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/usain-bolt-trivia-things-you-didnt-know)

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." (Michael Jordan). Some people want it to happen, but Bolt makes it happen. Usain Bolt is by far the best sprinter shattering world records in 2008 Beijing China, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympics. His world record times in the 100 meter and 200 meter make him the best sprinter. A hero must possess hard work and focus just like Bolt did to become who he is. Usain Bolt is more than just a sprinter his hard work to get where he is, his focus on a sport and inspiration make him a hero.

Bolt's success didn't just come from luck, it came from hard work that he dedicated to become the best. "Initially he was quite hard to work with, he needed to be kept in line ... nothing malicious, just pranks that got a bit out of hand, he certainly kept you on your toes"  (Usain  Bolt." Newsmakers). Despite the pranks Bolt pulled off on his coach he was an athlete that works hard to become the best. People never know what to expect out of him, working hard or goofing off. Despite trying to become the best with hard work athletes often deal with injury which slow them. "Despite a nagging hamstring injury, Bolt was chosen for the Jamaican Olympic Squad for the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was eliminated in the first round of the 200-meter, though, again hampered by injury" ("Usain Bolt." biography.com). With the injury Bolt was chosen for an Olympic squad and raced  with an injury. Racing with an injury is hard work because the pain is only going to slow you down. Bolt's hard work for sprinting will be the beginning of a legacy.

This is Bolt looking at the finish line. (http://www.businessinsider.com/bolt-olympics-100-2 (Screenshot via NBC Olympics))

Usain Bolt didn't do all these sprints without multiple things to worry about. However, he had to solely focus on what he needed to do. Bolt's focus has set him up to be what he is today. As a kid he already knew what he was going to do. "'When I was young I didn't really think about anything other than sports," he told Andrew Longmore in the London Times' " ("Usain Bolt." Contemporary Black vol. 73).Bolt had his mind only focusing on sports as a kid and nothing else.  Also Bolt's focus probably helped him with the hard work he puts in. Looking back to Bolt as a kid, his focus brought him to the big leagues, competing in the Olympics: "...he began to focus solely on sprinting under the tutelage of Pablo McNeil, a former Olympic sprint athlete.  (Glen Mills would later serve as Bolt's coach and mentor.)" ("Usain Bolt." Biography.com). Bolt needed to get serious if he wanted to take his sprinting to a real competitive level so he had to focus. Pablo Mcneil and Glen Mills, his coaches, both helped Bolt with his sprinting which meant he had to be focused. Bolt's focus has helped him from when he was a kid to where he stands now and won't change until he stops sprinting.

Bolt's hard work, focus and inspiration show  he is more than just a sprinter but, he is a hero. The hard work Bolt put in just to become a sprinter can show it as a form of heroism. Bolt can be a funny person but, still work hard and race with an injury to be called a hero. Also, Bolt was always mentally focused on what he wanted to be. As a kid he already knew he wanted to play sports. However he, needed to be taught sprinting by coaches. Like all heroes, they don't just go out there they need to be taught then achieve."'There are kids running around Jamaica right now wanting to be Usain Bolt, and it's something we're going to have to channel in the right manner, so that we can maintain our position in the world in sprinting.'" (Usain  Bolt." Newsmakers). Usain Bolt inspires me by wanting to be a faster sprinter and I myself am a sprinter but, quite a slow one. Bolt helps me to get motivated to go faster. Also because of Bolt's speed he inspires others to follow in his footsteps. Bolt wanted to make his dreams happen while others wished it would happen. However unlike other people, Bolt to make it happen.

Works Cited

http://www.biography.com/people/usain-bolt-20702091

"Usain Bolt." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 73, Gale, 2009. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606004329/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=5758aba1. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

"Usain Bolt." Newsmakers, vol. 2, Gale, 2009. Student Resources in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1618004855/SUIC?u=powa9245&xid=265eb0ae. Accessed 2 May 2017.