In conversation with USAIN BOLT
By James Davies

(James chatting with Usain)

If there is one interview you really do not want to be late for it is one with the man universally known as ‘the fastest human that has ever lived’- or for those not so hot on cryptic clues, the sporting phenomenon that is Usain Bolt…of lightening (as his publicists business card quite rightly calls him).

As I wandered down London’s busy Oxford Street, I made a conscious effort to check my watch every few minutes, or so, to make sure I was not ‘running’ late - if you will forgive the pun - as I thought, ‘surely the man who has already shattered numerous world records for not only being fast but very fast, can’t ever be late for anything’.

But to my surprise, my illusion of the affable athlete was wrong, as for probably the first time in his professional career Usain was behind schedule.

Lounging on what can only be described as an uncomfortable looking red leathery sofa, Jamaican born Bolt was finishing one of the many interviews he would have to endure throughout the relentless publicity run for his autobiography.

Although Usain was clearly busy, a raised thumb, pointed in my direction, acknowledged my arrival in the room and was his thoughtful way of saying hello, while he was tied up elsewhere. A nice touch for someone who quite easily could have an over inflated ego.

As I watched the remaining few minutes of the interview peter out, I was pleased to see Usain looking like he always does…calm and collected.

Once the interview was over the world beating runner, who stands at an impressive 6’ 5”, slowly sauntered over to humbly introduce himself. “Hi, I’m Usain Bolt”, he said.

As we stood looking out over a view that showcased the whole of London, Usain began to help himself to some of the fabulously extravagant and, might I add, tasty looking food that had been laid out for him.

Given the impressive view, Bolt was quick to ask, in that deep, soft, slow tone of his: “Is that the Tower of London?”

“No, I think it’s the Houses of Parliament”, I replied.

“Oh”, he said. “I would like to go there. Can I go there?”, he asked his manager, and best friend of twenty years. “Sure, we’ll arrange it for next time”, he assured Usain.

His attitude towards life is quite amazing and something that has always fascinated me about this extraordinary twenty-four year old.
For example, while intensity is etched on the faces of his rivals during the buildup of a do-or-die event, Bolt nonchalantly smiles, dances and even has time to mess about for the television cameras capturing the action. But why shouldn’t he be relaxed. Bolt is the fastest man ever – at both one- hundred meters and two-hundred meters.

“That’s just me, that’s my personality and that’s who I am”, he said. “I try not to think about the race, because if you try to focus too much then you over think things and you make mistakes, and I don’t want to make a mistake. So I try to be relaxed. When they say on your marks, I re-focus. It gives me less time to stress out and to think too much.”
When we begin to discuss breaking world records- which let’s face it he is now renowned for- Usain explains rather casually and quite outrageously: “I wasn’t even giving my all when I broke them.” To which me both shared a brief chuckle.

Although Usain remains remarkably humble, considering the amount he has already achieved, he is only too aware of his special status: “Never, ever do I get tired of hearing that I’m the fastest man on earth. If you lined up a hundred people and asked them who the best basketball player in the world is, the best footballer, or the best cricketer, it is unlikely they would give the same answer. But ask any of them ‘Who is the best sprinter in the world?’ and there is only one answer- Usain Bolt. Why? Because that is what it says on the clock. There can be no dispute or argument...It doesn’t get any cooler than knowing you are the fastest of them all.”

So, as someone regarded as the best sprinter in the world, I was interested to know what he thinks makes him such a great runner? Looking a little blank, Usain said, “Perhaps the height helps and those huge strides.” After a short pause, he continued: “A lot of tall people don’t have good co-ordination, but my coach says the one thing he can relax about is that I learn really quickly. I just think I’m blessed with a lot of talent and I was just blessed to bring joy to the world. I think when you have talent people say you have a destiny. I guess this is just my destiny- to go out and make the world happy and run as fast as I can.”

When he talks about his childhood, he does so as if it were only yesterday. It’s a reminder of how young he still is. “Growing up as a child I was full of energy. I loved sports. As soon as I left school for the day I was out playing football, cricket or anything. When I was young I loved to climb trees, I loved to ride bikes, go to the river- just being a boy, getting into trouble.”

Although Bolt is renowned for his record within track and field, cricket was his first love. He grew up when the West Indies were still a force in the international game, and he wanted to be the new Courtney Walsh or Curtly Ambrose. He was gifted, too, opening the batting and bowling for his local side. “I’m an all rounder- definitely good at both”, he explained.

So why did Usain- a talented cricketer- not go with his heart? “I just happened to run fast.” he said, looking rather puzzled. “It was literally just my teacher saying ‘try track and field’.” He added: “Really I’m a cricketer and I really love playing cricket. That’s what I grew up on- my father loves cricket and I was very good at playing so I didn't think about playing about changing because that’s what I wanted to do. But when my teacher said try it, I tried it and started winning, so it was fun and I just continued.”

Usain, who comes across as a very likeable individual, wears the mantle of role model with grace. Despite coming from a poor Jamaican background, where his first races were on a track that had a two-foot dip towards the finish, he explains that hard work and discipline can overcome almost anything. “Anything’s possible for me. That’s one of the things I live by”, he said assertively. “I think it’s very important to have something that you want to strive for. If you want to be the best at anything you do, you have got to really work at it and push yourself to the limit.”

One of the perks of being Usain Bolt is that sporting stars love to meet him as much as he likes to meet them. “I do get star struck sometimes (laughs). I’m big on football so when I met Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and all these guys it’s an honor.”

So, what do all these sporting superstars do when they get together I wondered? “We just try and hang out” he said. “I also get their autographs! But I have some of these guys on my BB (BlackBerry) so we talk and whenever we get a chance we meet up.”

As we near the end of the interview, I ask about his ambitions. Ultimately, he says, to my surprise, he would love to make a go of playing football professionally. He’s being deadly serious: “I definitely want to try football. I think I’ll be a good soccer player because I watch these guys and most of them just use speed and I think I’m good at doing that! (laughs). I’ve messed around with Cristiano (Ronaldo) a little bit but I play football every Sunday, with all my friends in Jamaica, when I get the chance, so I’m ready to play.”

He added: “If I keep myself in shape, I can definitely play at a high level.”

But before that, Bolt says, there is so much more he has to achieve on the track. “My main ambition is to become a legend in the sport. I want to be remembered as one of the greatest athletes ever to live. People always say I’m a legend, but I’m not. Not until I’ve defended my Olympic titles.” He smiles. “That’s when I’ve decided I’ll be a legend.”

Usain Bolt: 9.58 is published by HarperSport at £20.00