Usain Bolt: Facts, Stats & Lightning

Within a few minutes of the completion of his 100-meter and 200-meter double victory, both in world records, Usain Bolt of Jamaica was being compared to some of the best sprinters in track and field history.

Certainly at 6-foot-5 and with his showman-like personality, he’s among the sport’s most unique athletes. And while Michael Phelps is the rage of the Beijing Olympics, Bolt is getting his share of acclaim.

Here are some quick facts and figures about the double gold medalist:

* Bolt’s first sport was cricket and he specialized in fast bowling;

* With his world records in the 100 meters (9.69) and 200 meters (19.30), Bolt became the first person to break world marks in both events during the Olympics;

* With his two sprint wins, Bolt became the first sprinter since Don Quarrie to hold both 100 and 200 meters world records simultaneously.
 
* Bolt’s winning margin of .66 seconds was the largest since the 200 meters became part of the Olympics 108 years ago;

* Bolt has two nicknames: “Lightning Bolt” and “Bolt From The Blue.” The nicknames began after Bolt set the previous 100-meter world record May 31, 2008 in New York just after a lightning storm;

* Bolt turned professional in 2004 and he became the first junior to run under 20 seconds for 200 meters with a 19.93 effort at the CARIFTA Games in Bermuda.

* In the 2004 Olympics, Bolt was eliminated in the first round of the 200 meters after running 21.05 seconds and suffering from a leg injury.

* Bolt received several American university scholarship offers but declined all of them and remained in Jamaica to train.