Usain Bolt Speaks Out: Olympic Heartbreak, New Hobbies, and Life After the Track

Usain Bolt Speaks Out: Olympic Heartbreak, New Hobbies, and Life After the Track

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt recently opened up about his post-retirement life, reflecting on his Olympic heartbreak, a surprising new hobby, and his quirky pre-race superstitions. Known globally as the fastest man on Earth, Bolt’s incredible career left an indelible mark on the world of athletics. However, his transition from the track has revealed new sides of his personality and interests, particularly in light of his frustrations with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, Bolt shared his thoughts on Jamaica’s disappointing track and field performance at the Tokyo Games. Despite Jamaica’s rich sprinting legacy, the men’s 4x100m relay team fell short of expectations, finishing in fourth place with a time of 37.84 seconds. Bolt, who was famously part of the gold-winning relay teams in previous Olympics, expressed his frustration with the underwhelming results. “The Jamaican guys weren’t doing nothing. We were really bad, you know what I mean,” he said, acknowledging the high standards that have always been set for Jamaican sprinters.

Watching from the sidelines, Bolt struggled to accept the lackluster performance, which was a stark contrast to the glory days of Jamaican sprinting. The sense of loss was palpable for the sprinting icon, as he witnessed a nation’s hopes fall short on the Olympic stage.

While Bolt’s competitive spirit is undiminished by retirement, he has found an unexpected passion to fuel his adrenaline—dominoes. In his interview, Bolt revealed that he has become a dedicated player of the game, describing it as both intense and thrilling. “When I play with my friends, I get really aggressive. It’s an exciting game. It’s very exciting and stressful,” Bolt explained, noting that the game’s strategy and intensity bring out his competitive side just like his races did. He even shared a personal challenge he set for himself in dominoes: to win six rounds before his opponents could score a single point. “It’s like when you know you’re going to win. I get on the table and say, ‘My bag!’ to celebrate,” he joked.

In addition to his passion for dominoes, Bolt reflected on the superstitions that were part of his racing routine. One of the most notable rituals was related to his hairstyle. For every World Championships, Bolt would grow out his hair, but for the Olympics, he would cut it. This superstition became a lucky charm for the sprinter, who recalled how he stuck to this tradition even when a friend suggested he keep his long hair before the 2016 Rio Olympics. “I’m not going to chance it… I’m going to cut my hair,” Bolt said. His faith in the ritual paid off, as he went on to secure three gold medals at those Games, cementing his status as a legend.

Now retired from competitive racing, Bolt’s new passions and reflections reveal that his competitive drive remains as strong as ever, even beyond the track.