In the city for a sporting event, Bolt revealed many aspects of his life, including his favourite sport beyond athletics
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. File pic
- Usain Bolt in Mumbai: Cricket inspired me to work hard at a young age
- It is always good to have the highs and the lows because you also learn from the low times
- `Always do what you love and understand the road is never going to be easy`
Usain Bolt, popularly known as the 'World's Fastest Man', is celebrated worldwide for his sprinting records and Olympic triumphs but there's a lesser-known side to the Jamaican legend, one that connects him closely to India and its beloved sport: cricket.
“I was a huge cricket fan growing up. I watched cricket all the time. Watching all the talent of the cricketers, the way they worked, the way they pushed themselves, the way they carried themselves inspired me at a young age to work hard,” he shares.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, is in India once again, with stops planned in Delhi and Mumbai from September 26 to 28. This marks Bolt’s second trip to the country, nearly a decade after his maiden visit in 2014.
He highlighted that nothing beyond hard work has led him to this very greatness. Bolt adds, "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to pursue sport. I always loved track and field growing up and it was something I worked really hard on. It was a tough road. It was never easy to get to the top but I really wanted to be the best in the world so I pushed myself through injuries, doubts and tough times. It is just dedication.”
Every athlete witnesses the highs and lows in his career, and it was no different for Bolt, who has been at the pinnacle of his career. He shares, “The highs are always the best for me. It shows that hard work can get you to the greatest level. To be working hard and dedicated to something is never easy but when you get to that moment of winning that gold medal and crossing the finish line, it feels so good to know that the work you did actually paid off. For me, it is a great feeling that is embedded in me after you cross the finish line, and you win. On the other hand, he said the lows are always tough, but it is good to have good people around you that are parents, good friends, that really understand and help motivate you, get back on your feet and believe in yourself and to trust the process. “It's always good to have the highs and the lows because you also learn from the low times, and it helps you to be stronger when you get to the top,” he asserts.
Talking about his journey he not only re-lived his childhood while addressing questions from students at Jamnabai Narsee School, in Juhu, but also the challenging phases of his life that were more than injuries. It is also why he said it is tougher to defend the first Olympic gold medal rather than winning it the first time. “It is easier to win but when you are being chased, it is harder. Defending the second gold was harder.”
Sharing advice for students and others pursuing fields beyond sports, he said the most important aspect of doing anything is doing what you love. “When you love something, you put more effort and most of the work is more of a joy. Always do what you love and understand the road is never going to be easy. It is never going to simple because there are always going to be ups and downs. Always believe in continuing. No matter what, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t make it.”
Beyond medals and records, Bolt concluded that the most meaningful part of his journey has been his journey with his coach Glen Mills, who he says was like a ‘second father’ to him. “He really helped to guide me and grow and be different, and now be a father and better adult. He played a significant role in my growth because I spent so much time with him. That experience truly helped me develop."
Even as he loves cricket and has been a role model in the world of athletics, Bolt says it was former US basketball player Kevin Garnett who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. “For me, it was his dedication and how strong-willed he was because he was very tough and believed he could do anything. He was always motivating his teammates and was strong-willed. I love that about him.” It's this very nature of the player that inspired Bolt to be strong, and be the best he could be in his career.
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