When the world’s fastest man touches down in the city that never slows down, sparks are inevitable. Usain Bolt — the eight-time Olympic gold medallist and global icon — arrived in Mumbai with Dream Set Go, and has been soaking in the sights, sounds, and spirit of the city. In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, the sprint legend talks about tough times, his support system and enjoying his stay in Mumbai.‘Everybody knows about Bollywood’During his visit, he also met Anil Kapoor. The sprinter admits he hasn’t followed Indian cinema closely, but he knows of its global influence. “Everybody knows about Bollywood. You don’t get a lot in Jamaica, where I’m from, but you do get to see it around. I haven’t watched a lot, but I’ve met him (Anil Kapoor) in Germany a few times over the years, so we’re familiar with each other. He’s always saying, ‘You should come to India; you will love it.’ So, I’m happy I came here and I got to meet him,” Bolt shares.‘Indian kids are so far ahead’Bolt spent time at an event interacting with school kids, gave them an inspirational talk, and even played cricket, soon after he landed in the city. “It’s been wonderful. It’s been great just experiencing a different culture. I was very impressed with all the young kids; they speak so well, and the way they carry themselves is just wonderful,” says the sprinter, who had last visited India in 2014.‘It’s always good to have a good support system’Bolt says his biggest inspiration has been his parents. “I have seen my parents working hard, and I have followed them,” he says. But did he have moments of demotivation? He promptly says, ‘Yes. It’s good to have a strong support system. Somebody you can talk to and say, ‘Listen, I’m going through this. What do you think?’ I had a good team around me that, at times, when I would say, ‘Oh, it’s too tough today,’ they would tell me, ‘No, this is what we’re working towards. You need to push on, be strong and focus on your goals’.”Talking about his spirit to never give up, he says, “I’m a simple person. I come from a humble background. During difficult times, I’ve always told myself that things could be worse and there are people going through tougher situations. That keeps me going. One of my mottos in life is that anything is possible. That’s what I try to show people — don’t limit yourself.”
Dream Set Go Founder Monish Shah with Usain Bolt
‘My boys are not showing any signs of being athletes’Bolt, who holds the records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs, has often said that records are meant to be broken. But does he see his own being challenged anytime soon? “I think it will stand for a while. But the way sports is evolving, you never know. I’m not worried about it. I’m just happy and enjoying the moment. Hopefully, one of my boys (twins Thunder and Saint Leo, 4) will come and dominate. I hope they will take forward the legacy. Right now, they’re not showing any signs to be athletes (laughs). But as I said, records are meant to be broken and hopefully it’s broken when I’m sixty!” he elaborates.‘I never knew Achilles’ injury could be so bad’For years, speed defined him. Today, at 39 and with three children, what does Bolt want his life to stand for beyond the track? “It’s tricky for me because I’m not focused on one thing right now. I still work with many sponsors. I’m now a dad, so that’s high on the list. I am doing a lot of things and am also into music. But as a sports person, I want to do more. I have opportunities, I just have to figure out and lock in exactly what I want to do and what’s going to make me happy,” says Bolt, who is recovering from an injury. “I just started working out again, so I’m happy. But it’s been a tough road. I never knew Achilles’ injury could be so bad,” he signs off.
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