ENGLAND, United Kingdom (Reuters) — Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt walked the red carpet alongside his parents and stars from the world of screen and sport at the world premiere of his documentary ‘I Am Bolt’ in London on Monday (November 28).
The film looks at his record-breaking career and follows the nine-times Olympic gold medallist in his gruelling training and in competition as well as relaxing at home, giving fans a glimpse into the life of the man nicknamed “Lightning Bolt”.
“It wasn’t easy and that’s why I wanted to show the people. Because a lot of people feel like it was very easy and as simple as it looked but it wasn’t so, and this is one of the main things I wanted was to show people and to show people my personality and on and off the track is the same thing,” Bolt told Reuters.
The sports star said that if he could give his younger self advice it would be to “get serious quicker”, adding: “I think that when I was younger and started out as a professional I wasn’t that serious. But if I’d started out more serious maybe I would have done a lot more at a young age.”
Reflecting on the issue of doping in athletics, Bolt praised the work of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) saying: “I think the IAAF are doing a very good job at cleaning sports up and I really really do appreciate that and for me this is one of the reasons I want to stay in the sport to help to continue the work they’ve been doing.”
‘I Am Bolt’ includes footage shot at the Beijing World Championships, Rio Olympics and London Olympics, and also has video from Bolt’s youth and interviews with family members, friends and coach. His parents Jennifer and Wellesley Bolt attended the premiere, and his mother commented that Usain had shown athletic promise from an early age.
“He was very energetic and so he would keep running you know. And I would have to be running after him. So from there and then we realised that there was some athletics in his blood,” his mother said.
Bolt, who became the first person to win three consecutive 100 and 200 metres Olympic golds in Rio de Janeiro in August, and is the world record holder in the two disciplines, can also be seen talking about his nerves and fears ahead of a race.
The 30-year-old has said he plans to retire from the sport after the August world championships in London.
‘I Am Bolt’ is available now on digital download, Blu-Ray and DVD.