After his double record breaking feat at Beijing Olympics, I summarize what does it takes to ‘fill’ Usain Bolt shoes. By the way he celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday in Beijing. Catch also his 100m and 200m world record breaking video

About Usain Bolt

1. DOB: 21 August 1986
2. Height: 1.96m tall (6ft 5in)
3. Weight: 86kg (13st 7lb)
4. Bolt loves dancing
5. He is described as laid-back and relaxed
6. First sprinter to run the 100m below 9.7 seconds without wind assistance.
7. Takes 40-41 strides for the 100m (Average elite sprinter around 45-48 strides. Tyson Gay takes 45 & Walter Dix takes 47)
8. His left shoe was untied during his record-breaking 100m
9. During the 100 metres final at Beijing, Bolt wore golden Puma spikes that had “Beijing 100m Gold” emblazoned across them
10. A first sprint double since Carl Lewis in 1984 Olympics Los Angeles
11. His first love was cricket not running
12. Was urged to focus on track and field when young
13. First junior sprinter to run the 200m in under 20 seconds (19.93s, 2004)
14. Personal best of 45.28 seconds in the 400 metres (Kingston, Jamaica)
15. Youngest world junior gold medalist ever (2002 World Junior Championships, Gold 200m 20.61s and two silver medals 4x100m/4x400m)
16. Refused American colleges scholarship offer, but instead trains at the primitive University of Technology, Jamaica
17. Current coach Glen Mills appointed in 2005 and transform him into a more professional athlete. E.g Sub 20s PB timing of 19.99s that year for an 18 year old
18. Coach Glen Mills improved Bolt’s technique. Improved Bolt’s balance at the turns over 200 metres and an increase in his stride frequency, giving him more driving power on the track

Timings & Achievements

1. 2002 World Junior Championships Kingston, Jamaica 1st - 200 metres 20.61
2. 2002 World Junior Championships Kingston, Jamaica 2nd - 4 × 100 m relay 39.15 NJR
3. 2002 World Junior Championships Kingston, Jamaica 2nd - 4 × 400 m relay 3:04.06 NJR
4. 2003 World Youth Championships Sherbrooke, Canada 1st - 200 metres 20.40
5. 2004 Carifta Games Hamilton, Bermuda 1st - 200 metres 19.93 WJR
6. 2005 Central American and Caribbean Championships Nassau, Bahamas 1st - 200 metres 20.03
7. 2007 World Championships in Athletics Osaka, Japan 2nd - 200 metres 19.91
8. 2008 Reebok Grand Prix New York City, United States 1st - 100 metres 9.72 (WR)
9. 2008 Beijing Olympics Beijing, China 1st - 100 metres 9.69 (WR)
10. 2008 Beijing Olympics Beijing, China 1st - 200 metres 19.30 (WR)