Bolt laughing all the way to the bank
A season-ending injury hasn’t stopped Usain Bolt from celebrating. The world’s fastest man turned 24 over the weekend and yesterday signed a three-year contract extension with German apparel company Puma said to be the biggest for a track and field athlete.
And although the world-record holder at 100 and 200 metres may be able to buy just about anything he wants because of his new sponsorship deal, he couldn’t even wrangle himself a proper birthday party back home in Jamaica.
“I didn’t know what to do,” said Bolt, who was in his country on his birthday for the first time in seven years. “So I just chilled. We went out and had a couple of drinks.”
Although contract terms of the deal were not released, Puma chairman and chief executive officer Jochen Zeitz said Bolt would be the “best-paid athlete in track and field history.”
“It’s good, man. I’m happy,” Bolt told The Associated Press by phone. “I’m very happy with the figure.”
Bolt set world records in the 100 and 200 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and helped Jamaica capture another gold and set another world record in the 4×100 relay. A year later, he again set world records in the 100 and 200 at the world championships in Berlin.
Bolt said this month he is cutting short his 2010 season short because of his ailing back. Now he is pain free and looking forward to defending his sprint titles at the 2011 worlds and the 2012 London Olympics.
“I’m trying to make myself a legend,” he said. “People are really looking forward to me breaking records. I’m going to go run hard to win, that’s my aim. And every time I go out there and run hard to win, I get records.”
At the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, the lanky Jamaican’s effusive personality endeared him to fans, but not to IOC president Jacque Rogge.
Zeitz said Puma intends to make Bolt a centerpiece in its Olympic marketing program and use him to help develop footwear and other apparel. Bolt first signed with Puma, which also sponsors the Jamaican Olympic Association and the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association, when he was 16.
“We’ve been together since forever,” Bolt said. “I like the fashion, so they try to make it fashionable for me. … I’m looking good, but I’m also prepared.”