Sprinting Toward Purpose

When the fastest man in history makes time for you—it’s not something you take lightly. Despite a schedule filled with global commitments and legacy-defining projects, Usain Bolt was generous enough to share his thoughts with Bonito about his love for football, his work in Jamaica, and the football culture that continues to inspire across the Caribbean.

Best known for rewriting the narrative on human speed, Bolt’s track career includes eight Olympic gold medals and records that may stand for generations. But away from the track, his deep affection for football has always been clear—from childhood dreams of wearing the Manchester United shirt to a real, if brief, stint in professional football after retiring from sprinting.

“I’m always happy to talk football and doing good,” Bolt told Bonito, setting the tone for a conversation full of energy, humour, and purpose.

A nation of fans

When asked about football culture in Jamaica, Bolt’s passion was unmistakable.

"We Jamaicans love football! We especially follow the Premier League and La Liga. Clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona have huge support back home."

For him, Manchester United holds a special place.

"It was that early-2000s United team that got me hooked—Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Rooney, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Ferdinand, Keane… those players made me love the game even more."

That passion remains strong. Whether watching a match or championing youth programmes, Bolt sees football as more than sport—it’s a shared language that connects communities across islands and generations.

From Speed to Service

That same love of community drives the Usain Bolt Foundation (UBF), founded in the early 2010s and focused on education and cultural development for children, particularly in Bolt’s hometown of Trelawny.

“The Foundation is dedicated to creating a legacy for happy children,” he explained. “We want to enhance their character through education and culture, so they can live their dreams. I work closely with my partners to fund these projects in Jamaica—check out what we’re doing on our website!”

Through the UBF, Bolt has donated computers to primary schools, supplied printers to rural early-childhood institutions, and provided sporting equipment to his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High School. Beyond the resources, the Foundation nurtures values—ambition, respect, and community—that mirror Bolt’s own journey from local kid to world icon.

The Power of Good Coaching

At Bonito, we often highlight the impact of grassroots coaches. Bolt agrees that good mentors can change lives.

“Coaches are often a strong and powerful influence in a young athlete’s life. Good coaches can be extremely positive, while bad ones can do real damage. Not all players will reach the top level, but sport provides amazing opportunities for kids.”

He points out how transferable those lessons can be:

“I read somewhere that 80–90% of female CEOs had a background in sport. That shows how much sport prepares you for life—it’s a great platform to do great things.”

Across the Caribbean, Bolt sees football as uniquely positioned to shape futures. With just a safe space and a ball, children can learn teamwork, discipline, and confidence. Football builds community cohesion, fosters life skills, and opens pathways to opportunity—even for those who never go pro.

Challenges and Change

His belief echoes a wider movement across the region. From St Lucia’s Sacred Sports Foundation to Jamaica’s Youth Football League and the University of the West Indies’ Sport for Development Initiative, organisations are using football to create positive social change. All share Bolt’s philosophy: turning play into purpose.

A Final Word on Speed

Before signing off, Bonito couldn’t resist asking the fastest man alive for a tip on getting quicker on the pitch.

“Work hard, be disciplined, listen to your coach—and most importantly, have fun,” he advised. “All players can get faster with the right training and guidance. It’s not just a natural thing.”

He ended with trademark encouragement:

“Keep up the good work, Bonito!”

Even through a screen, Bolt’s drive and optimism come through loud and clear—a reminder that speed, when matched with purpose, can move more than just the body. It can move communities forward.

Learn More: Football for Good Across the Caribbean

From Jamaica to St Lucia, inspiring organisations are using football to empower young people, strengthen communities and create opportunity:

• Sacred Sports Foundation Inc. — Saint Lucia
• Youth For Development Network (YFDN) — Jamaica
• JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation (Sports Development Programme) — Jamaica
• CAN Fútbol Foundation (CANFF) — Caribbean / Latin America
• Fútbol Más — Latin America & Caribbean
• Caribbean Football Union (CFU) — Regional (31 nations)
• University of the West Indies – Sport for Development Initiative (UWI S4D) — Caribbean (regional)
• Youth Football League Jamaica (YFL) — Jamaica
• Port of Spain City FC Youth Academy — Trinidad & Tobago

Each of these initiatives shows how football can be more than a game—it’s a platform for education, equity, and empowerment across the Caribbean.