'This isn’t the Jamaica I know’- Usain Bolt speaks out on Olympic disappointment and life beyond the track

Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has revealed his Olympic heartbreak, a surprising retirement hobby and a quirky pre-race superstition.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has revealed an unexpected pastime that excites him as much as his iconic career on the track.

While the Fastest Man on Earth left an indelible mark on athletics, his retirement hasn't dulled his competitive spirit.

In a recent appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, Bolt shared insights into his life post-track, reflecting on Jamaica’s struggles in the 2020 Olympics and the surprising new passion that fuels his love for competition.

Bolt, who famously brought home gold medals and world records for Jamaica, had a hard time staying out of the action during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

With COVID-19 affecting the games and Jamaica’s track and field performance falling short, Bolt expressed his frustration with the results.

The men’s 4x100m relay team finished fourth, clocking 37.84 seconds, missing the podium and the expectations of a nation known for producing track legends.

“The Jamaican guys weren’t doing nothing. We were really bad, you know what I mean," he said.

The underwhelming performance was a far cry from the glory days of Jamaican sprinting, and watching from the sidelines made it even harder for the legend to accept.

Though retired from competitive running, Bolt has found a new passion that stirs his adrenaline like nothing else: Dominoes.

In the same interview, Bolt shared his love for the game, describing the intensity and strategy required to win.

“If you see me playing dominoes—anybody following me on Instagram knows—when I play with my friends, I get really aggressive. It’s an exciting game. It’s very exciting and stressful,” he explained.

The sprint legend takes Dominoes as seriously as he did his Olympic races.

Bolt disclosed his personal challenge in the game: reaching six wins before his competitors can score even one.

“Yeah, like when you know you’re going to win because the key is to get to six without the other players winning one game. So, when I’m going to get to six, I’ll get on the table and say, ‘My bag!’ Just to celebrate—it’s just something we do," Bolt said.

While Bolt enjoys the thrill of his newfound hobby, he also reflected on a superstition that played a part in his track success.

When asked about any rituals he followed during his career, Bolt revealed a curious habit tied to his appearance.

“Every World Championships I would grow my hair out but at the Olympics, I would cut it,” he said, explaining how this tradition became a lucky charm.

Bolt recounted a moment before the 2016 Rio Olympics when a friend suggested he keep his long hair. Despite the suggestion, Bolt stuck to his ritual.

“I remember at the last Olympics in 2016 one of my friends said, ‘Are you going to cut your hair?… I feel like you shouldn’t.’ I’m not going to chance it… I’m going to cut my hair,” Bolt recalled.

True to form he went on to secure three gold medals cementing his legendary status.