Usain Bolt

Bolt after the 100 m final at the 2008 Olympics (http://en.wikipedia.org)

The dedication it takes to be an Olympic athlete.

The days and months and years of hardcore training and improving.

Persevering through tough times and injuries.

Trying not to crack under the pressure.

So much time and effort.

A rare few could handle all of this, and one of that few is Usain Bolt. Usain Bolt is an inspirational hero to runners around the world. Bolt’s outstanding races at the 2008 Olympics set two world records. He has become the fastest man on Earth right now. Usain Bolt was born on August 21st, 1986, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He grew up with his parents, who owned a grocery store. Even as a child, little Usain loved sports and running, especially cricket.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing’s Bird nest, Bolt earned his country a gold medal in the 100m sprint and set a world record of 9.69s. He also placed 1st in the 200m race and clocked in at 19.3s, breaking another world record. Finally, Jamaica’s 4x100 relay team brought home another gold medal, one of Bolt's many. Bolt later set an even higher world record for the 100m of 9.72s, winning him an event at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York.

Usain has suffered from several injuries, including a hamstring injury that got him eliminated at the Athens Olympics, 2004 in the first round of heats. Even though he was injured, he still gave it his best shot. Bolt also had a series of back and knee injuries, threatening to destroy his career, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. Later, there were reports of Bolt slacking off his training and partying, making people wonder if he was just another overpaid and spoiled athlete. Usain proved them wrong when he beat Jamaican legend Donald Quarrie’s running record on June 24th, 2007. “Over the years, I have learned a lot and it forces you to grow up quickly. I am hungry for a title under my belt and if you want to be a champion you have to be serious, buckle down and do the work required,” Bolt said in an IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) interview.

Usain Bolt will run in Canada in June (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)

Bolt trains all year round. He trains five times a week on the track and three times in the gym. Bolt barely has free time to relax, it’s always about improving technique and physical fitness. When asked what motivates him, Bolt's response was “I got my motivation when I think about my parents, particularly my mother. They took care of me when I was a child and now I want to take care of them and keep them smiling and make them proud of me.” The training is tough, it takes a lot of strength and endurance to get through it, but it is mandatory if you want to stay on top. Bolt has suffered from many injuries resulting from too much training, affecting is performance on the track.

Usain Bolt has persevered through the tough times and he still comes out on top. Bolt inspires runners everywhere to follow their dreams and be the best person they can be. This display of character earns Usain Bolt the title of “hero”. He also might have super human speed.