KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he considers himself a national hero.

He was speaking recently on The Fix Podcast. When asked by host Orane ‘Naro’ Hart, if he considers himself a national hero, Bolt responded “Yes!”

He explained, “The amount of people that see me and say ‘wah you do fi di country, we love it and you make ghetto youths want to do better’ and the people on the grams (Instagram), the overwhelming support and how people talk, you can tell I actually make a real impact on the country itself. For me, I would say yes.”

“A whole lot of work we put in and we always try to uplift Jamaica in any way possible and put the positive spin because you know other people always a talk and is always a negative energy so we always try to put Jamaica on the map in a positive way. When you hear people speak like that about you, it feels good to know they’re recognising exactly what you’re trying to accomplish for the country,” Bolt continued.

The track star expressed his appreciation to be mentioned with the likes of Bob Marley and to have attained the level of notoriety he has.

“That was my aim, to be amongst them so when people talk about greatness my name has to be called because it shows. Me a one of the few in track and field weh can say this,” he said.

However, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist shared that he is not fixated on the title, “Mi nah really sit down and stress bout that. We done know how we system and politics run in Jamaica.”