JockBio Vital Stats
  • Sprinter • Country: Jamaica  
  • Height: 6' 5"
• Weight: 207 • Born: 8/21/86
  • One of Usain’s all-time heroes was Jamaican track star Herb McKenley. McKenley was in his 80s when he passed away in 2007.
  • Usain attended the Waldensia Primary and All-Age School as a boy.
  • Usain was offered track scholarships by several U.S. schools but chose to live and train in his home country.
  • Usain received the 2002 and 2003 IAAF Rising Star Award. 
  • By the age of 16, Usain had surpassed the times Michael Johnson had recorded at age 19.
  • In 2004 Usain ran the 200 meters in 19.93 seconds. No junior sprinter had ever broken the 20-second barrier,
  • In 2008, Usain became the first runner since fellow Jamaican Donald Quarrie to hold the world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters simultaneously.
  • Usain’s world record time in 2008 in Beijing came in the face of a slight headwind.
  • Usain’s gold medal in the 100 meters was the first for Jamaica at the 2008 Olympics.
  • By the end of the 2008 season, nine of the 10 fastest times in the history of the 100 meters had been recorded by either Usain or Asafa Powell.
  • Usain was awarded the Order of Distinction by Jamaica for his 2008 Olympic accomplishments.
  • Usain ran in a pair of golden Pumas during the 2008 Olympics.
  • When Usain crossed the finish line for his Olympic victory in the 100 meters, his shoelace was untied.
  • Usain’s dad attributes his son’s speed to “Yam Power.” Usain also admits to loving chicken nuggets.
  • After the 2008 Olympics Usain donated $50,000 to the children of Sichuan Province who suffered in the earthquakes of that year.

 


 

 


Donald Quarrie,
1972 Track & Field News

 

 


Asafa Powell booklet



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