Given his speed of foot, it’s not surprising that Usain Bolt has been quick to market himself so well that he is becoming an advertiser's dream client.
Apart from his three gold medals from the Beijing Olympics all in world record time, Bolt also possesses that common touch and personable nature which is why he appeared on the David Letterman Show within weeks of his China spectacle.
Usain Bolt Wants More Records
The signature lightning flash pose and celebratory reggae dancehall moves resonated with many more than just sports fans worldwide. The list of celebrity invitations was so unremitting that when Bolt finally resumed serious training just before Christmas, he said it was a relief just to get back to his normal routine.
Usain Bolt Will Train at Manchester United
Bolt’s profile will crank up a notch again next month when he runs a slightly bizarre 150 metres race on the streets of Manchester, England. It’s more a publicity stunt than a serious athletics meet but it will further boost his already considerable celebrity. And if he makes the obligatory call at Coronation Street to meet the cast of Britain’s oldest and most popular soap, there’ll be mileage in that too.
Bolt Will Give Tips to Ronaldo
On top of that, Bolt, 22, is a huge Manchester United fan too and the headlines recently have trumpeted the fact that he will give sprinting tips to Cristiano Ronaldo on a visit to Old Trafford.
The race is on May 17 and Bolt will also take in United’s penultimate game of the Premier League season against Arsenal as well. Even Real Madrid tried to lure Bolt to their training camp, but given a straight choice between the Spanish giants and Manchester's finest, there could only be one winner.
Bolt is Puma's Top Athlete
He joked in the Manchester Evening News: “I’m thinking of trying to make the squad. I’m a left-footer and I think I could be good down the left side and I’m pretty quick, so we’ll see.”
Apart from the numerous endorsements he’s received from the likes of Digicel and a multi-million dollar contract from sponsor Puma, Bolt and his all-conquering Jamaican Olympians have some unfinished business to do with the Americans.
Showdown With Tyson Gay
Stung by not dominating the Olympic sprint events as they’re used to, the USA team has issued a challenge to the Jamaicans for a special showdown meet next year.
The US sprinters wanted it this year but scheduling problems got in the way. At least American Tyson Gay will get a chance to defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100 metres titles against Bolt and compatriot Asafa Powell at the world championships in Berlin, Germany in August.
Bolt Shrugs Off Drug Slurs
Of course, the title of the world’s fastest man also carries the whiff of suspicion of drugs, which has been directed at Bolt relentlessly since his Beijing heroics. He rebuffs the accusations in an even tone but it nevertheless must burn. But for Bolt, that’s all part of the territory. In the meantime, he’ll continue dancing all the way to the bank
