00:00 Usain Bolt is one of the most famous athletes walking the planet today, and with good reason.
00:18 The Jamaican track star has broken every Olympic and world record in his field and is considered
00:24 by many to be the fastest man that ever lived.
00:32 He made history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when he achieved the triple-triple,
00:39 meaning three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games.
00:49 Despite his remarkable success, Usain remains humble and always makes sure to remember his
00:55 roots and where he first came from.
01:03 Here is how the incredible Usain Bolt grew up.
01:12 Usain Bolt was born on August 21, 1986, in Sherwood Content, Jamaica.
01:20 His parents were middle-class owners of the local grocery store.
01:29 Usain grew up playing soccer and cricket in the streets with other boys from the neighborhood
01:34 after school.
01:36 And his talent was starting to become apparent when other boys couldn't catch him in a race.
01:45 When he was young, Usain didn't think of anything except sports, and by the age of
01:51 12, he was the fastest runner in his school's history at the 100-meter dash.
02:03 In high school, Usain practiced many sports, but it was his cricket coach who suggested
02:09 he dedicate himself to track and field exclusively and develop his speed further.
02:20 Usain listened to him and took on the mentorship of Pablo McNeil, a former Olympic sprinter
02:27 who took the young Bolt under his wing.
02:36 The two enjoyed a successful partnership, winning many competitions, but McNeil became
02:42 frustrated with Usain's casual attitude and practical jokes in training.
02:52 One of these jokes landed Usain in jail after he hid inside the back of a van while he was
02:58 supposed to be training with McNeil.
03:03 However, in time, Bolt became more mature and more dedicated to his craft, and he and
03:13 McNeil broke almost every junior record there was to break in track and field.
03:24 By age 15, Usain was already 6 and a half feet tall, and the 2002 World Junior Championships
03:31 proved to be the ultimate testing ground for his career at that point.
03:42 He became the youngest gold medal winner at the junior games, and these games launched
03:47 Usain into superstardom and solidified him as one of the most promising young athletes
03:53 around.
03:59 In 2004, Usain officially became a professional under coach Fitz Coleman, and the rest, as
04:07 they say, is history.
04:17 -
Comments