Wellesley Bolt: One ‘unbreakable’ rule that Usain Bolt’s late father set for the Jamaican legend

Usain Bolt and his father Wellesley. Photo. Imago

Wellesley Bolt: One ‘unbreakable’ rule that Usain Bolt’s late father set for the Jamaican legend

Joel Omotto 08:52 - 03.04.2025

Usain Bolt’s father Wellesley Bolt passed away on Monday after a long illness and as his family celebrates his life, they will be remembering one ‘unbreakable’ rule that he stood by.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt is mourning the death of his father Wellesley Bolt, who passed away on Monday, following a long illness.

The elder Bolt passed away leaving not just his family but the community in Sherwood Content, a town in Jamaica's rural Trelawny parish where he stayed distraught.

Wellesley opted to live in the rural area despite his son’s riches and formed a strong bond with members of his community as he also ran a popular store in the area.

He had a strong bond with Usain Bolt and played a key role in his son’s sprinting career, following him to training and ensuring he also took his education seriously.

During their time together, Usain Bolt opened up about one strict rule that his father stood by which rubbed off on the legendary sprinter as he had to stay but it if he did not want to cross his dad.

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For a man known to set fast time on the track, it is perhaps just fitting that his father was also strict on time, with Usain Bolt explaining in a previous interview how he has become time-conscious due to his upbringing.

“My impatience doesn’t come from anxiety. It’s from my upbringing,” Usain Bolt told the Mirror in a past interview.

“My dad Willis is a stickler for timekeeping. He’d rather be five hours early than a minute late and it’s habitual for me to be the same.

“If I was late, my dad would be upset with me because late is not an option. It’s about good manners and respect. Now I don’t like people being late.”

Usain Bolt’s father lived to see the fruits of his endeavours as his son would go on to become the greatest sprinter of all time, winning eight Olympics gold medals as well as 11 world titles.

He is also the world record holder in both 100m and 200m given his times of 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds are yet to be broken since he set them at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Wellesley Bolt accompanied his son to most of his races but opted to stay away from the spotlight despite Usain Bolt’s worldwide fame.

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