Usain Bolt Honors Late Father with Heartfelt Birthday Tribute

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has once again poured his heart out in remembrance of his late father, Wellesley Bolt, who passed away earlier this year.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist and world-renowned sprinter took to Instagram to pen a touching message on what would have been his father’s birthday, celebrating the man whose guidance shaped his career and life.

Wellesley Bolt, who died at the age of 68 on March 31, 2025, after a prolonged illness, played a pivotal role in his son’s meteoric rise to become the fastest man in history.

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In the weeks since his passing, Bolt has shared glimpses of his grief and gratitude, most recently posting a picture of himself alongside his father with a heartfelt caption that moved fans across the globe.

A few weeks prior to this birthday tribute, the Jamaican star shared a poignant farewell by posting photos from his father’s funeral, capturing moments where he spoke passionately about the man who instilled in him the values of hard work and resilience.

His simple, one-word caption, “LEGACY,” summed up a lifetime of influence and love that Wellesley had left behind.

Bolt’s latest post drew an outpouring of support from fellow athletes, fans, and public figures who have watched the track icon’s journey over the years.

From Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps to Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the messages of condolence have highlighted the profound respect and admiration for Bolt and his late father’s bond.

Beyond the public tributes, Bolt has openly spoken about how instrumental his father was in steering him towards athletics—a decision that ultimately transformed his life.

Though many know Bolt as the face of sprinting, his first love was cricket, a sport he excelled at while attending William Knibb Memorial High School. But it was Wellesley who encouraged his son to focus on track and field, recognizing that his talent on the track could unlock possibilities far beyond the cricket pitch.

In his memoir, Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography, Bolt recounted the moment his father gave him advice that would shape his destiny.

“Pops set me straight on the matter. Cricket, he said, would prove to be a political game for me, rather than one that was based on my talents and hard work. A coach's team choices were sometimes swayed by favoritism, but in athletics, a person was selected through his times and personal bests,” Bolt shared as per SportsKeeda.

He went on to explain how Wellesley’s practical wisdom opened his eyes to the unique meritocracy of sprinting.

“In cricket, there are other people involved because it's a team sport. It can get tricky. You could play well, better than anyone else, but if the coach has a favorite, then you might not get picked. That happens quite a lot in life, and it's unfair. But in track and field, you're the boss of yourself,” he added.

As the world’s fastest man continues to process the loss of his father, it’s clear that Wellesley Bolt’s legacy will forever be interwoven with the history of global athletics.

His belief in his son’s abilities and his guidance on choosing a path defined by individual merit rather than politics became the bedrock of Bolt’s storied career.

On what should have been a day of celebration, Usain Bolt’s touching birthday message served as both a tribute and a reminder of the unbreakable bond between father and son—a bond that helped create an icon who inspired millions around the world.