Usain Bolt, the name synonymous with speed, recently opened up about his life after competitive athletics. He was in Tokyo for the World Athletics Championships. The legendary Jamaican sprinter also helped promote next year’s events in Budapest. It was there that he shared a candid truth about his current fitness levels.
Gone are the days of rigorous training schedules. Bolt confessed to embracing a much more relaxed, or “sedentary,” lifestyle. He detailed a typical day, painting a picture far removed from his Olympic prime. “Normally I wake up in time to see the kids leave for school,” he told The Guardian. “After that, it depends on what I have to do. If I have nothing to do, I just relax.”
He continued, describing how exercise only happens “sometimes, if I’m in a good mood.” His afternoons involve “watching some series and relax until the kids come home.” Evenings are family time, until they “start to irritate me and I leave.” Then, it’s back to basics: “I stay home watching movies or doing Legos.” It’s a relatable routine for many, but a stark contrast for the fastest man ever.
The shift in his activity didn’t happen overnight. Last year, Bolt suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. That injury effectively put an end to his casual running. “I do exercises in the gym,” he admitted, “I’m not a fan.” However, the lack of running has started to catch up with him in an unexpected way. “I think now that I’ve been away for some time, I have to start running,” he mused. “Because, when I go up the stairs, I run out of breath.” It’s a humble admission from someone who once made sprinting look effortless.
This new reality has spurred a plan for the future. “I think, when I start training seriously again,” Bolt declared, “I will have to do a few laps just to catch my breath.” It seems even a legend like Usain Bolt has to face the everyday challenges of staying fit.