‘It’s Hard’ – Usain Bolt Opens Up About the Toughest Part of Being Famous

Usain Bolt is the world's fastest human in history (Photo Credit: Yahoo)

‘It’s Hard’ – Usain Bolt Opens Up About the Toughest Part of Being Famous

Mark Kinyanjui 22:40 - 02.05.2025

Usain Bolt has opened up on both the good and the bad thing about being famous following his illustrious career.

Usain Bolt may be the greatest track and field athlete in history, but even he has had to deal with the consequences of the fame that came with it.

With eight Olympic gold medals and multiple world records to his name, Bolt's legacy as the fastest man on the planet remains unshakable, even in retirement.

By June 2008, he was the fastest man in history, setting his first 100m world record, and a few months later , at the Beijing Olympic Games, he rose to international superstardom.

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 In China, Bolt triumphed in the men’s 100m sprint, and then added the 200m and 4x100m title to secure a legendary triple. He broke the world record in all three events, although his relay medal was stripped off in 2016 after one of his team Jamaica teammates Nester Carter tested positive for doping.

Regardless, he went on to complete the treble in the same events at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, before calling time on his career in 2017.

All these achievements have given him the fame he was destined to earn, but at a cost. 

Usain Bolt on why it is hard being famous

Usain Bolt Opens Up About the Toughest Part of Being Famous
Usain Bolt shares a funny yet touching answer when his kids ask about greatness, while reflecting on fame, family and legacy. Usain Bolt and his family

Speaking candidly in a recent interview with Puma, the 11-time world champion  revealed the bittersweet reality of being a household name while trying to raise his children.

“Oh my God. I think it's one of the same,” Bolt said when asked whether fame was a blessing or a curse. “I think being famous, it's tough, but it's also the best thing.”

Bolt, who is a father of three, admitted that his celebrity status sometimes makes everyday parenting more difficult.

“Because at times it's hard just to be a dad. When I take my kids out to the park, some people are still like, ‘Oh, there's Usain…’ It’s tough, because you really want to be a dad and be a family guy, and do stuff with just your kids and enjoy,” he explained.

But he also acknowledged that fame has its perks, especially when spontaneous opportunities arise.

“Then at times it spins, where you might end up somewhere you weren’t planning to go,” he said. 

Bolt, a staunt Manchester United supporter, has found himself going to games based off his name whenever he is in and around places the club is saying, something he has attributed as a positive about his popularity.

“Say there's a football game on and you're like, ‘Oh, I'm in the vicinity. I would love to go to this game.’ There's no more tickets, but you make a call and they say, ‘Well of course, tell him to come.’ And they figure out how to get you in.”

Reflecting on the double-edged nature of fame, Bolt summed it up simply: “It’s a double-sided sword. So it's good, but it could be a little bit tricky.”

For Bolt, fame is a “double-sided sword”—an ever-present force that brings both privilege and pressure.

From setting world records to setting the standard for greatness, Bolt’s voice continues to echo across generations. 

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