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Newsmaker
Bolt - nightclub king turned sprint king
China Daily
Updated: 2008-08-22 09:12
Usain Bolt's extraordinary record-breaking feats here at the Olympics in the 100m and 200m have everything to do with his remarkably laid-back attitude to life and also a bizarre diet of chicken nuggets and yams.
The Jamaican, 22 on Thursday, has admitted he failed initially to realize his natural talent as a junior, when aged just 15 he became the youngest-ever world junior champion in Kingston, because he loved to go out and party and enjoy his favorite pastime of dancing.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning the men's 200m final at the Bird's Nest at the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday. [Agencies]
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"Regarding the partying, well you grow up and see the bigger picture," he confessed shortly after breaking compatriot Asafa Powell's 100m world record at the end of May.
"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I decided it was time to change, not everything, only a little," added Bolt, who conceded that the partying was mainly focussed on dancing, not drinking.
Bolt, who like most Jamaicans played cricket until his coach recommended he take up athletics instead, has taken his laid back image onto the track, entertaining the crowd with his repertoire of signals and impromptu jigs.
"I just chill, I don't try and think too much about the race," said Bolt, who revealed that prior to the 100m he had eaten chicken nuggets.
"I just relax and try to think about cars or something like that."
The transformation in his attitude has come about ever since he linked up with coach Glen Mills four years ago.
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Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after winning the men's 200m final of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 20, 2008. Bolt set a new world record with a timing of 19.30 seconds. [Agencies]
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