Usain Bolt is from Jamaica. He was born and grew up in Sherwood Content, a small town where his parents managed a local shop. Bolt as a child used to play football and other sports with his brother in the streets of his home town. He started sprinting when he went to school, later becoming the school's fastest runner in the 100 metres.

When Bolt's talent was recognised he got every encouragement from his teachers, including coaching from a former Olympic runner. He won a string of medals while still at school age, even though he wasn't always the most dedicated sportsman and sometimes preferred playing jokes to training. Even so, at 15 he won the world junior championships, the youngest ever winner. He has now won 3 gold medals and will be competing in the 2012 Olympics in the hope of winning another.

Usain Bolt is 1m 96 cm or 6 ft 5 inches tall.