Bolt- fastest man on earth

SAMPATH BANDARA

Usain Bolt, nicknamed 'Lightning bolt' is the fastest man ever born on earth.

He became the first man since Carl Lewis to win the 100m and 200m in the Olympics at the 2008 Beijing games. In the 100m he clocked 9.69 seconds and set a new world record and he broke Michael Johnson's record and created another world record in the 200 metres (19.30 seconds). Bolt ran the third leg of Jamaica's gold winning 4x100m relay quartet easily.

Over 90,000 spectators packed Bird's Nest cheering the new hero.

Usain Bolt born on 21st August, 1986 at Montego Bay, Jamaica has been running since the age of 10. When he was in primary school, in younger days he was a fast bowler who was very keen to play cricket. Bolt signed his professional contract at the age of 17, soon after leaving William Knibh Memorial High School.

In the 2003 World Championships in Paris he took part but officials felt that at the age of 17, he was not eligible. At Helsinki World Championship he qualified for the 200m final but finished the event in 26.27 seconds and at Osaka won the 200m silver in 19.91 seconds.

In 2004 World Junior Championship he clocked 19.93 seconds and set a junior record and was the first teenager to break the 20 second barrier.

In the IAAF World Junior Championships held in his motherland - the National Stadium Kingston, Jamaica (2002) Usain Bolt became the youngest-ever male world junior champion (at 15 years and 332 days) and commenced his illustrious and splendid athletic career under the guidance of Glen Mills. Usain Bolt won the 400m event at Jamaica Camperdown Classic in 46.35 seconds recently.

Usain Bolt won sportsman of the year award for 2008 and also took the IAAF Male Athlete of the year award and Jamaica's Track and Field Male Athlete of the year award.