Wellesley Bolt, father of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, has handed away on the age of 68 after a chronic sickness. The information was confirmed by the Jamaican Observer on Monday, March 31.
He’s survived by his spouse, Jennifer Bolt, and their three youngsters: Usain, Sadiki, and Christine Bolt-Hylton. Wellesley was broadly considered a humble, regular determine who performed an important function in nurturing and supporting the world’s quickest man throughout his rise to international stardom.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his loss of life, with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness posting a heartfelt message on X (previously Twitter):
“Mr. Bolt was the daddy of a worldwide icon and a robust, quiet pressure behind one in every of Jamaica’s biggest sons. His presence, help, and steerage helped to form a legacy that continues to encourage the world.”
Holness supplied condolences to all the Bolt household, praising Usain’s well-known devotion to his mother and father and siblings, including, “As you grieve this nice loss, the prayers and help of a complete nation are with you.”
Opposition chief and PNP President Mark J. Golding additionally expressed his sorrow: “Your father’s unwavering help, steerage, and love had been an necessary a part of the inspiration of your unimaginable journey… Jamaica mourns in solidarity with you.”
Wellesley Bolt was a widely known determine in Sherwood Content material, Trelawny — the northern Jamaican village the place Usain’s journey to track-and-field greatness started. He ran a small native grocery store locally till 2017, preferring to stay a quiet life whilst his son turned one of the well-known athletes on the planet.
Whereas Wellesley was a continuing supply of help, he usually averted the worldwide highlight. He notably skipped Usain’s first Olympic 100m remaining on the 2008 Beijing Video games on account of flight nervousness and the stress of watching such a high-stakes occasion. Nonetheless, he remained one in every of Usain’s greatest supporters all through his profession and attended a number of later competitions.
The Bolt household was a fixture at Usain’s competitions throughout his profession, cheering him on from the stands as he turned a world champion and international icon. Usain Bolt retired from skilled athletics in 2017 however continues to be one in every of Jamaica’s most revered public figures.
The passing of Wellesley Bolt is being felt deeply throughout Jamaica and the worldwide sporting group. Identified for his humility and regular presence, he’s remembered not simply as the daddy of a legend, however as a cornerstone of a household that helped form Olympic historical past.
A memorial service is predicted to be introduced within the coming days.
