Usain Bolt

Biography
So, how do you become the best sprinter of all time?

Usain St. Leo Bolt once said, ‘When I was young, I didn’t
really think about anything other than sports.’ Whilst
at secondary school, Usain focused on sprinting, which
led him to win his first High School Championships
medal. Since then he has set new world records, overcome
injuries, won many medals, become a hero in his home
country of Jamaica and he hasn’t even finished yet!

Usain was born on 21st August 1986, in Jamaica. As a child, he

really enjoyed playing football and cricket.

Bolt took part in his first race whilst at primary school, however, at that time he preferred
playing cricket. In an interview, he once said that if he hadn’t become a sprinter, he would
have loved to be a fast bowler like his cricketing hero, Waqar Younis.

At high school, Usain focused on sprinting and won his first silver medal in the 2001 High
School Championships. His talent caught the eye of former Jamaican Olympic sprinter
Pablo McNeil, who went on to become his coach. Pablo would sometimes get frustrated
with Bolt as he didn’t always take his training seriously and liked playing practical jokes.

The 2001 World Youth Championships was Usain’s first appearance on the world stage.
He didn’t win any medals but he did set a new personal best in the 200m race. The World
Junior Championships came next and it was here that Bolt became the youngest World
Junior gold medallist.

Olympic Games Event Medals

2008 Beijing 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2012 London 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2016 Rio De Janeiro 100m, 200m, relay Gold

Photo courtesy of drcliffordchoi (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

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In 2004, Usain became the first junior sprinter to run 200m
in under 20 seconds. It was then that he turned professional
and was given a place on the Jamaican Olympic team.
He went to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 but a
leg injury stopped him from winning any medals.

As the years passed by, Usain took his sport more

seriously and began to train harder to win events. At
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he broke more world
records and won gold in the 100m, 200m and relay events.
This was followed by the World Championships in Berlin,
where he improved his times even more.

Bolt competed in the 100m, 200m and relay at the London 2012 Olympic Games and
won gold in all three events again. After the races, a fellow runner said, ‘There’s no doubt
he’s the greatest sprinter of all time.’

During the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bolt yet again won gold in all three races (100m, 200m
and relay) and was also awarded the ‘triple-triple’ meaning he had won gold in 3events
in 3 Olympic Games. However this amazing achievement didn’t last long as in 2017, Bolt
and his team mates were stripped of the gold medals from the 100m relay in the Beijing
Games due to one of his teammates being disqualified for taking a banned substance.

In 2017, at the World Athletics Championships, Bolt’s success didn’t continue. He won
a bronze medal in one event and in another, he collapsed on the track with a hamstring
injury and had to be helped across the finish line by his teammates. This was Bolt’s final
ever race.

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 Usain Bolt

Questions
1. When and where was Usain born?


2. Usain didn’t win any medals at the 2001 World Youth Championships but he did set a
personal best time in the 200m race.

True
False
3. What did Usain become the first junior sprinter to do in 2004?


4. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?





5. How many gold medals did Usain win in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games?





6. How do you think Usain felt after the 2017 World Athletics Championships?







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 Usain Bolt

Answers
1. When and where was Usain born?
Usain was born in Jamaica on 21st August 1986.

2. Usain didn’t win any medals at the 2001 World Youth Championships but he did set a
personal best time in the 200m race.

True
False
3. What did Usain become the first junior sprinter to do in 2004?
In 2004, Usain became the first junior sprinter to run 200m in under 20 seconds.

4. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?
Answers will vary.

5. How many gold medals did Usain win in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games?
Usain won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and relay event at each of the 2008,
2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, which makes nine gold medals in total. However, his
gold medal in the relay in 2008 was taken off him meaning he now has eight gold
medals.

6. How do you think Usain felt after the 2017 World Athletics Championships?
Answers could include: Usain might have felt disappointed that he didn’t win yet
another gold medal. He might also have been worried about his injury and devastated
that he finished his career in this way.

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Usain Bolt
Biography
So, how do you become the greatest sprinter of all time?

Usain St. Leo Bolt once said, ‘When I was young, I

didn’t really think about anything other than sports.’
He first showed sprinting potential at a very young age
and became the fastest 100m runner at his school by
the age of 12. Whilst at secondary school, Usain was
encouraged to concentrate on sprinting, which led him to
win his first High School Championships medal. Since then
he has set new world records, overcome injuries, won many
medals, become a national treasure in his home country of Jamaica and
he hasn’t even finished yet!

Usain was born on 21st August 1986 in Jamaica. He grew up with his brother and sister,
and enjoyed playing football and cricket.

He took part in his first race whilst at primary school, but sprinting wasn’t his first love.
Bolt has often said that if he hadn’t have become a sprinter, he would have loved to have
been a fast bowler, having been inspired by Waqar Younis, a former cricket player.

Whilst at high school, Usain focused on sprinting and won his first silver medal in the
2001 High School Championships. His talent caught the eye of former Jamaican Olympic
sprinter Pablo McNeil, who went on to become his coach. Pablo would sometimes get
frustrated with Bolt as he didn’t always take his training seriously and enjoyed playing
practical jokes.

The 2001 World Youth Championships was Usain’s first appearance on the world stage.
He didn’t win any medals, but he did set a new personal best in the 200m race. The World
Junior Championships came next for Usain and it was here that he became the youngest
World Junior gold medallist.

Photo courtesy of drcliffordchoi (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com

In 2004, Usain became the first junior sprinter to run 200m
in under 20 seconds. With this fantastic time, he turned
professional and he was also chosen to compete in the
Jamaican Olympic team. Bolt went to the Olympic Games
in Athens in 2004 but a leg injury ruled him out of winning
any medals. He had offers to go and train in America but
Usain wanted to stay true to his roots and even though the
training facilities were basic, he stayed in Jamaica. For some
time after that, injuries caused him problems but he always
came back stronger.

As the years passed by, Bolt took his sport more seriously and began to train harder to win
events. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he broke more world records and won gold
in the 100m, 200m and relay. This was followed by the World Championships in Berlin,
where he improved his times even further.

Bolt competed in the 100m, 200m and relay at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where
he won golds in each event once again. This made him the first person to win all three
events at consecutive Olympic Games. Following his performance in London, a fellow
runner said, ‘There’s no doubt he’s the greatest sprinter of all time.’

Bolt amazed everyone yet again during the 2016 Rio Olympics, by claiming not only gold
in all three races (100m, 200m and relay) but also the title the ‘triple-triple’ meaning
he had won gold in 3 events in 3 consecutive Olympic Games. However this amazing
achievement didn’t last long as in 2017, Bolt and his team mates were stripped of the
gold medals from the 100m relay in the Beijing Games due to one of his teammates being
disqualified for taking a banned substance.

In 2017, at the World Athletics Championships, Bolt’s winning streak was over as he won
a bronze medal in one event and in another, he collapsed on the track with a hamstring
injury and had to be helped across the finish line by his teammates. This was Bolt’s final
ever race.

Usain is nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’ and continues to be widely regarded as being the
fastest sprinter of all time.

Olympic Games Event Medals

2008 Beijing 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2012 London 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2016 Rio De Janeiro 100m, 200m, relay Gold

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 Usain Bolt

Questions
1. When and where was Usain born?


2. By what age had Bolt become the fastest 100m runner at this school?


3. Who is he inspired by?



4. Why did Pablo McNeil get frustrated with Bolt?






5. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?





6. Why do you think Usain reached a point in his life where he decided to take his sport more
seriously and train harder?







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 Usain Bolt
7. Why is Usain nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’?



8. Which do you think is Usain’s greatest achievement to date? Why?






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 Usain Bolt

Answers
1. When and where was Usain born?
Usain was born in Jamaica on 21st August 1986.

2. By what age had Bolt become the fastest 100m runner at this school?
He became the fastest 100m runner at his school by the age of 12.

3. Who is he inspired by?

He is inspired by Waqar Younis, a former cricket player.

4. Why did Pablo McNeil get frustrated with Bolt?

He got frustrated with Usain because he didn’t always take his training seriously and
enjoyed playing practical jokes.

5. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?
Answers will vary.

6. Why do you think Usain reached a point in his life where he decided to take his sport more
seriously and train harder?
Answers could include reference to: Usain realising his own potential, upcoming
important sporting events were getting closer, not wanting to become injured again
and/or that he felt the need to please people who had believed in him, like his trainer
and the Jamaican president.

7. Why is Usain nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’?

It’s a play on words because of his surname and also to signify his speed - as fast as
lightning!

8. Which do you think is Usain’s greatest achievement to date? Why?

Answers will vary.

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Usain Bolt
Biography
So, how do you become the greatest sprinter of all time?

Usain St. Leo Bolt once said, ‘When I was young, I

didn’t really think about anything other than sports.’
He first showed sprinting potential at a very young age
and became the fastest 100m runner at his school by
the age of 12. Whilst at secondary school, Usain was
encouraged to concentrate on sprinting, which led him to
win his first High School Championships medal. Since then,
he has set new world records, overcome injuries, won numerous
medals, become a national treasure in his home country of Jamaica and
he hasn’t even finished yet!

Usain was born on 21st August 1986, in Jamaica, to parents Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt.
He grew up with his brother and sister, and adored playing football and cricket.

He competed in his first race whilst at primary school, but sprinting wasn’t his first love.
Bolt has often said that if he hadn’t have become a sprinter, he would have loved to have
been a fast bowler, having been inspired by Waqar Younis, a former international cricket
player.

Whilst at high school, Usain focused on sprinting and won his first silver medal in the
2001 High School Championships. His talent caught the eye of former Jamaican Olympic
sprinter Pablo McNeil, who went on to become his coach. Pablo would sometimes get
frustrated with Bolt as he didn’t always take his training seriously and enjoyed playing
practical jokes.

The 2001 World Youth Championships was Usain’s first appearance on the world stage. He
didn’t win any medals, but he did set a new personal best in the 200m race. The Jamaican
Prime Minister recognised Bolt’s talent and arranged for him to move to Kingston to train
with the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association.

The World Junior Championships came next for Usain and it was here that he became
the youngest World Junior gold medallist. He continued to win medals in 2003, when he
competed at the World Youth Championships.

Photo courtesy of drcliffordchoi (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com

In 2004, Usain became the first junior sprinter to run 200m in under 20 seconds. With
this fantastic time, he turned professional and was chosen to compete in the Jamaican
Olympic team. He went to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 but a recurring leg
injury ruled him out of winning any medals. He received offers to go and train in America
but Bolt wanted to stay true to his roots and despite the basic facilities available to
him, remained in Jamaica. For some time, injuries thwarted him, but he came back even
stronger.

As the years passed by, Bolt took his sport more seriously and began to train harder to win
events. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he broke more world records,
winning gold in the 100m, 200m and relay. This was followed by
the World Championships in Berlin where he improved his times,
running the 100m race in 9.58 seconds and the 200m in 19.19
seconds.

Bolt competed in the 100m, 200m and relay events at the

London 2012 Olympic Games, where he won three golds once
again. This made him the first person to win all three events at
consecutive Olympic Games. Following his performance in London,
a fellow competitor said, ‘There’s no doubt he’s the greatest sprinter of
all time.’

Bolt amazed everyone yet again during the 2016 Rio Olympics, by claiming not only gold
in all three races (100m, 200m and relay) but also the title the ‘triple-triple’ meaning he
had won gold in 3 sprinting races in 3 consecutive Olympic Games. However this amazing
achievement didn’t last long as in 2017, Bolt and his team mates were stripped of the
gold medals from the 100m relay in the Beijing Games due to one of his teammates being
disqualified for taking a banned substance.

In 2017, at the World Athletics Championships, Bolt’s winning streak was over as he
was beaten by just 0.03 seconds putting him in 3rd place for the first time in 10 years.
And to make things worse, whilst taking part in another race at the Championships, Bolt
collapsed on the track with a hamstring injury and had to be helped across the finish line
by his teammates. This was Bolt’s final ever race.

Olympic Games Event Medals

2008 Beijing 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2012 London 100m, 200m, relay Gold

2016 Rio De Janeiro 100m, 200m, relay Gold

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 Usain Bolt

Questions
1. When and where was Usain born?


2. By what age had Bolt become the fastest 100m runner at this school?


3. Who is he inspired by?



4. Why did Pablo McNeil get frustrated with Bolt?





5. Why did Usain move to Kingston?





6. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?





7. Why do you think Usain reached a point in his life where he decided to take his sport more
seriously and train harder?






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 Usain Bolt
8. Explain how Bolt has shown resilience in his professional career.





9. Why is Usain nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’?




10. Which do you think is Usain’s greatest achievement to date? Why?







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 Usain Bolt

Answers
1. When and where was Usain born?
Usain was born in Jamaica on 21st August 1986.

2. By what age had Bolt become the fastest 100m runner at this school?
He became the fastest 100m runner at his school by the age of 12.

3. Who is he inspired by?

He is inspired by Waqar Younis, a former international cricket player.

4. Why did Pablo McNeil get frustrated with Bolt?

He got frustrated with Usain because he didn’t always take his training seriously and
enjoyed playing practical jokes.

5. Why did Usain move to Kingston?

He moved to Kingston because the Prime Minister spotted his talent and wanted him to
train with the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association.

6. How do you think Bolt felt when he was chosen to represent his country in the Olympic
Games?
Answers will vary.

7. Why do you think Usain reached a point in his life where he decided to take his sport more
seriously and train harder?
Answers could include reference to: Usain realising his own potential, upcoming
important sporting events were getting closer, not wanting to become injured again
and/or that he felt the need to please people who had believed in him, like his trainer
and the Jamaican president.

8. Explain how Bolt has shown resilience in his professional career.

In 2004, Bolt went to the Olympic Games in Athens but a leg injury stopped him from
winning any medals. He was injured for some time but came back stronger to win gold
at the 2008 Olympic Games.

9. Why is Usain nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’?

It’s a play on words because of his surname and also to signify his speed - as fast as
lightning!

10. Which do you think is Usain’s greatest achievement to date? Why?Answers

Answers will vary.

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