Usain Bolt
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt first broke the world record for the 100-meter sprint on May 31, 2008, at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York City with a time of 9.72 seconds. He then easily broke his own record on August 16, 2008, while competing in the same event in the 2008 Summer Olympics with a time of 9.69 seconds.
August 20, 2008: Bolt broke the 200-meter world record with a time of 19.3 seconds and on August 22, the Jamaican team won the 4X100 relay, also breaking a 13-year-old world record with a time of 37.10 seconds.1
Fast Facts
- Born: August 21, 1986
- Birthplace: Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Resides: Kingston, Jamaica
- Height: 6'4"
- Weight: 198 lbs
- High school: William Knibb Memorial High School
- First broke the 100-meter world record on May 31, 2008 (9.72 seconds)
- Broke his own record on August 16, 2008, at the 2008 Olympics (9.69 seconds)
Athletics Career
Bolt began competing internationally in 2002 and took home gold medals at the IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships in the 200 meter event and at the Central American and Caribbean Youth Championships in the 200 and 400 meter events. He competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics, but finished the 200 meter event in fifth place. Also in 2004, Bolt broke the world junior record for the 200 meter sprint at 19.93 seconds. He competed with the Jamaican team at the IAAF World Championships in 2005, finishing last, and again in 2007, earning a silver medal.
Career Highlights
- 2002: IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships, gold medal 200 m
- 2002: Central American and Caribbean Youth Championships, gold medal 200 m and 400 m
- 2003: IAAF World Youth Championships, gold medal 200 m, silver medal 400 m
- 2004: Summer Olympics
- 2005: IAAF World Championships, eighth place 200 m
- 2006: IAAF World Athletics Final, bronze medal 200 m
- 2006: IAAF World Cup, silver medal 200 m
- 2007: IAAF World Championships, silver medal 200 m
- 2008: Reebok Grand Prix, broke the 100 m world record
- 2008: Summer Olympics, gold medals and world records 100 m and 200 m
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