Usain Bolt: 9.58

Eight days … … three gold medals …… three world records … one amazing reputation firmly established. Usain Bolts life – and the world of sport – would never be quite the same again.16 August 2008 … Beijing, China … the Birds Nest stadium … 91,000 spectators and an unimaginably huge global television audience … the final of the mens 100 metres at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.The crack of the starters pistol triggers thousands of camera flash bulbs … and precisely 9.69 seconds later a young Jamaican streaks across the finishing line to claim the gold medal and his destiny.Four days later Bolt claims the 200 metres gold, setting a new world record of 19.30 into the bargain, the night before his 22nd birthday. Then on 22nd August he leads the Jamaican team to more glory in the 4 x 100 metres relay final, in yet another world record time.Since those heady days of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, Usain Bolt has lowered both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records once again – to a barely believable 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively.At a stroke the Jamaican has become the greatest sports star in the world.9.58 is Usain Bolts story so far, in his own words.Its about a skinny kid from the parish of Trelawny, where they harvest the best yams in the world. Its about growing up playing cricket and football in the warm Jamaican sun, then discovering that he could run fast, very fast. Its about family, friends and the laid-back Jamaican culture. Its about Auntie Lillians pork and dumplings and Dads grocery store in the sleepy village of Sherwood Content. Its about what makes Bolt tick, where he gets his motivation and where he takes his inspiration. Its about the highs and the lows, the dedication and sacrifices required to get to the top. Its about fast food, partying, dancehall music, fast cars and that lightning bolt pose. Its about radiating sports biggest smile. This is the story of the fastest man on the planet.