Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Retired track and field eight-time Olympic gold medalist. Bolt is the only sprinter to win the Olympic 100 and 200 meter sprint titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 201
DOB: August 21, 1986 In: Trelawny, Jamaica
Track Inspirations: “My parents (Jennifer and Wellesley) pushed me. And I had Michael Johnson and Don Quarrie – he had the national (200 meter) record before me.”
Favorite Movies: “Gladiator, 300.”
Favorite TV Shows: “George Lopez and I like the old re-runs of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t read a lot of books. Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”
Musical Tastes: “My Jamaican artists – Vybz, Kartel, Elephant Man, Serani, Jamaican dance hall music. And in theh U.S. it’s Jay-Z, Assassin, Black Rhino, Beanie Man.”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “I play video games, basketball, just chill out.”
Nicknames: “My friends call me Hugo – Hugo Boss, off the suit. (Media nickname is Lightning Bolt).”
First Track Memory: “I remember once, actually the first race I ran, I fell. In my primary school (age 7). I slipped sideways, on my side.”
First Job: “Track and field [laughs].”
First Car: “A Honda Torneo.”
Current Car: “BMW M3.”
Pre-Race Feeling: “Think about all kinds of stuff, really. And relax. I’m always ready. Don’t take anything for granted. You always have to be prepared to run 100% at all times.”
Favorite Meal: “I really don’t have a favorite meal. I eat anything.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Pistachio.”
Favorite Web Sites: “No, I just like downloading music.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think that would have to be winning three gold medals and three World Records in the Olympic Games in Beijing.”
Most Painful Moment: “Getting injured in the 200 meter final in the 2005 World Track & Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland.”
Last Vacation: “St. Lucia.”
Favorite Places To Compete: “Home. Also in Beijing and Athens. I like the warm places [laughs].”
Embarrassing Career Memory: “No.”
Funny Career Memory: “My agent (Ricky Simms) bench presses more than me. And that’s my most embarrassing moment [laughs]. A couple years ago we had a contest. But he did more than me. Look at him.”
Favorite Track Athletes To Watch: “Nobody special. Watch everybody.”
Favorite Non Track Athletes To Watch: “Kevin Garnett, Boston. Williams sisters. Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi.”
Childhood Dream: “A cricket player actually [laughs].”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Just being calm, simple and laid back.”
(Sculpture art by Barrymore Alan Moton.)
Bolt’s 9.58 WR in 2009 video in Berlin, Germany
