How I was brought up: dad was the punisher, mom the spoiler

Usain Bolt: My Story 9.58 - Being the World's Fastest Man

Saturday, November 13, 2010

This is part four of the Observer's 10-part serialisation of Usain Bolt: My Story 9.58 - Being the World's Fastest Man, chronicling the life of triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt, from his early primary school days to the present time.

Bolt speaks from the heart in this revealing autobiography. From his experiences as a schoolboy athlete and his struggles with injuries; to his family life and performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Championships in Berlin, he recounts and shares, in his customary easy-going and candid style, his hopes and his regrets, and his plans for the future.

Inspiring and entertaining, this easy to read book at over 280 pages is in full colour and contains never before seen photographs of Bolt at work and at play. Testimonials from those who have had a major influence in the young athlete's life give the book a truly authentic voice. Enjoy:

My happy personality and laid-back style which the public sees is not an act - it is exactly how I am away from athletics and comes from the way I was brought up.

Mom and dad would never go around cussing or arguing. Dad would talk and explain things, and you had to really push his buttons to get him angry. But if I didn't do what he said he would punish me to make sure I never did it again. Dad was big on discipline, and respect to him for that, because it's what made me the person I am today. It helped me understand life and he deserves thanks for that...

He was in charge of discipline in the house, while mom spoilt me. I'm so like her, with the same type of hair, skin and even her laid-back style, while the only thing passed on from dad was his height. He is a rules man who expects everyone to be on time. To make sure I was never late for school he would get me up at 5:30 am, even though William Knibb - which was half an hour's drive away started at 8 am...

Dad didn't like us going out, he preferred us to stay in, and when we were younger we had to be home before he got back from work in Windsor, or else there was trouble. We had a dog called Brownie who served as a sort of early warning system - when you saw him running to the top of the hill to greet Dad, that was the signal to get inside.

Before getting home from school I would stop at Aunty Lilly's (who) would be looking out for me from the veranda and knew just what I wanted - pork. Mom wouldn't cook pork, because she was a Seventh-day Adventist...Strangely she would still cook me bacons and eggs for breakfast.

Aunty Lilly runs a shop and bar next to her house, and on Saturdays I would go there with Dad for sweets...While Dad chatted to Aunty Lilly and the locals, he would let me have a sip of beer, knowing that as soon as I drank it I'd fall asleep. I was so full of energy, this was the only way he could get some peace.

When I was younger, I often stayed with my grandmother, Monica...and in the summer holidays my cousin Charlene would be there too. Grandma is one of the best cooks ever, which was good because Mom doesn't like to cook. I joked with Mom about her not being able to cook very well. Grandma's corn-meal porridge was unbelievable.

9.58 - Being the World's Fastest Man by Usain Bolt. Published by Ian Randle Publishers, price J$2,000/US$22.95.

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How I was brought up: dad was the punisher, mom the spoiler