Usain Bolt’s dad Wellesley dies at 68
Wellesley nudged his son away from cricket and towards running, setting him on the path to glory
Patrick HarringtonColin Maximin
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Wellesley Bolt, Usain Bolt's father, at a press conference, Image 2 shows Usain Bolt biting his gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics
USAIN Bolt's father has died at 68 after a long battle with illness.
Wellesley Bolt, who oversaw the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's rise to glory, passed away on Monday in Jamaica, local media confirmed.
Wellesley Bolt, Usain Bolt's father, at a press conference.
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Wellesley Bolt has died at 68Credit: Getty
Usain Bolt with his parents at a press conference, showing off his new running shoes.
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Tributes have been paid to the 'quiet force' behind Usain's success, here alongside his wife Jennifer BoltCredit: PA:Press Association
Usain Bolt biting his gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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He was an ardent support of his son, Usain, an eight-time Olympic gold medallistCredit: AFP
Tributes have poured in for the committed father, who has been called the "quiet force" behind the fasted man on Earth.
Usain, 38, had a close bond with Wellesley, who played a major role in nurturing the sprinter's talent alongside his wife Jennifer.
Wellesley was a well-respected figure in the tight-knit community of Sherwood Content in Trelawny, on Jamaica's northern coast, where he ran a small grocery shop until 2017.
It was in that quiet rural district that Usain Bolt's legendary sprinting journey began.
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He later moved on to attend Williams Knibb High School, where his talent was further tended.
Wellesley and Jennifer stuck by their son's side as he shot up through the world rankings and into global stardom.
The dad was often spotted cheering from the sidelines at major championships.
However, he was not in the stands to see Usain win gold in the 100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a world-record time.
He said at the time: “It was a tense moment for me, so I wasn’t there for the 100," adding that he was not fond of flying.
After the win, Wellesely hopped on a plane to travel for the 200m final - but the race happened whilst he was in the air.
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Following that, Wellesely never missed his son competing in a major race.
As Usain's fame ballooned, however, Wellesley maintained a low profile - never seeking the limelight.
He leaves behind his children Usain, Sadiki and Christine Bolt-Hylton.
Usain previously told an anecdote about his father's role in his sprinting career.
He told Caribbean National Weekly: “The coach started complaining to my father that I wasn’t coming to training.
"But after a while, my father sat me down and said: ‘Running is what you have to do. There’s too much politics in cricket.’
"He watched the game, he understood how things worked.”
Usain Bolt celebrates his 100-meter win with his parents.
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Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates with his parents after winning gold in the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015Credit: Getty
Portrait of Usain Bolt's father looking out the window of his grocery store.
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Wellesley kept a low profile, running his grocery shop in Trelawny, JamaicaCredit: Getty
Usain Bolt's mother, Jennifer, at the RaceBolt challenge.
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Wellesley always supported his son, but didn't chase a high profileCredit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow
Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, gave the Bolt family his sympathies on social media.
He wrote: “I join with every Jamaican in extending my deepest and most sincere condolences to Usain Bolt, his beloved mother Mrs. Jennifer Bolt, and the entire Bolt family, following the passing of their patriarch, Mr. Wellesley Bolt.”
Usain is yet to make a statement on his father's death.
Wellesley and Jennifer opted to stay in the house in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, until 2017 - and kept the shop going.
Wellesley was quoted as saying: "I need something to occupy my time so I don’t get lazy.
"As parents, we are proud of him, but we don’t think it is fair for us to be acting over the head of various people in the community."
Jamaica's sports minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange remembered Wellesley as passionate and supportive.
She said: "Wellesley and his wife Jennifer were the picture of a loving and supportive family who were always there for their son, Usain.
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"I found Mr Bolt to be an exceptional and passionate father who was invested in the success of his family. He was the strength of his family.
"I offer my sincerest condolence to Jennifer, Usain, and the rest of the Bolt family on the passing of Wellesley, or Gideon as he was so affectionately called by friends and neighbours in Trelawny."
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