Interview: 5 Questions with Usain Bolt, World-Record-Setting Sprinter Extraordinaire and Hublot Brand Ambassador
On the last day (August 21) of this year’s Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Jamaican-born sprinter Usain Bolt will turn 30. No matter how he fares during the Games, the 6’5” soft-spoken, incredibly relaxed young man will still have a legend of accomplishments to boast. Nicknamed “Lightning Bolt,” he is regarded as the fastest person ever timed and holds world records for the 100-metter and 200-meter events. Additionally, among so many other accolades, he has won six gold medals in sprinting at the Olympic Games, is an 11-time world champion, and has been awarded the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year three times. A Hublot brand ambassador, Bolt is ready to take to the track at Rio 2016, but before he left for Brazil, he shared some thoughts on sports and time in an exclusive interview with Roberta Naas, US Editor of Haute Time.
HT: What are looking forward to in the Olympics?
UB: “I’m just looking forward to accomplishing my goals. My two biggest goals are defending my title and to winning. It would be a full accomplishment if I can get that done. That is what I am looking forward to. “
HT: You have already accomplished so much. How do you stay motivated?
UB: “I still have the drive. I just want to push the barriers and see what I can do and how far I can go. I am just determined and driven.”
HT: How does time play a role for you?
UB: “For me, time is everything, because from the time you wake up you have to have your heart and soul in this. You have to work through the day, you have to go to the gym, you have to eat, and yet you have to work as fast as possible to get home and get rest before the next day begins again. We Jamaicans are not so much stressed about time, you know, but you have to stay on top of it. And, of course, on the track, every time we go on the track, it is all about the seconds and the fractions of a second that count.”
HT: Why did you partner with Hublot?
UB: “For me, the question is, ‘why not get involved with Hublot?’ I was shocked when they approached me and wanted me to be an ambassador. This is a prestige brand, and I do track and field, and I thought they would do golf, or polo, so for them to approach me was an honor and it was an easy answer to be a part of this. We have done so much together over the years and they respect my Foundation also, which is great. We have just become a real family over the years, and I really appreciate them and their support every step of the way.” [Editor’s note: The Usain Bolt Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the character of children through educational and cultural development.]
HT: How do you feel about the new Usain Bolt watch?
UB: “This is my second one with them and it is really exciting. They asked what I wanted to do with it and I said I want to keep the Big Bang, but I really want it to pop! It does.”
Rio 2016 Usain Bolt Schedule: We hope to see Bolt accomplish his goals at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. He is scheduled for Track & Field Men’s 100 meter on Saturday, August 13, for men’s 200 meter on Tues August 16, and for men’s 4×100 relay on Thursday, August 18.
About the Hublot Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt watch:
To mark 2016, a milestone year for Usain Bolt, Hublot has created two new limited editions that embrace the strength, determination and success of the fastest man in the world. One version is crafted with King Power Gold, the Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt symbolizes his objective, his third triple Olympic gold at Rio. An All Black version, accented with the colors of his Jamaican home, is also being made and pays homage to the path of his pursuit.
