'Over Time, You Understand That Image is Everything'

Eight-time Olympic champion and legendary sprinter Usain Bolt on performing for fans, why it's exciting to be challenged and who he thinks can break his world record

- By KATHAKALI CHANDA

It's past 7 pm, and the 21st floor suite of a Mumbai hotel hums with activity— journalists pace in and out, camera crew adjust frames and lenses, while sports managers weave through the crowd to tie the loose ends. Usain Bolt sits in the middle of it all, unhurried, poring over his phone and rising only occasionally to shake hands.

It belies the frenzy the Jamaican is known to have set off every time he hit the running tracks. Nearly a decade after his retirement (in 2017), Bolt's 9.58-second dash over 100 m still stands as the fastest time ever clocked by a human; so do his three world records: In 100 m, 200 m and 4x100 m relay. He remains the most decorated sprinter in history with eight Olympic and 11 World Championship titles.

A superstar and showman—what with his signature Lightning Bolt celebration pose—such was his pull that, in 2013, Bolt was paid a whopping $300,000 appearance fee at the Diamond League event in Paris. “With Bolt, we know that we will easily fill the Stade de France,” meet director Laurent Boquillet had said back then. During his heyday, Bolt was the richest track and field athlete; he still remains one. Retirement may have slowed down his strides, but not his brand equity: Sponsors like Puma, who onboarded him during his career, continue to stand by him over eight years past his retirement. In India as an ambassador for the German sportswear behemoth, Bolt, 39, sat down with Forbes India for a quick chat. Edited excerpts:

Q It’s been nearly 10 years since retirement, what’s the world’s fastest human being up to these days?

A lot of sponsorship work, like I’m here with Puma. Then, there is charity work. Also, I have three kids now, so they keep me busy.

Q Do the kids make you run?

No, not yet (laughs). They’re still kind of slow.

Q Do you ever run just for fun?