Usain Bolt is not only rewriting records, he is overshadowing historical personalities such as Jesse Owen .
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And let me add, modifying nursery rhymes . Try this one on for size.
And bionic Bolt stands alone.
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Yes Usain Bolt owns the world stage.
No Phelps, no Woods, no Federer, no Williams sisters, no LeBron James, no Kobe, no Tom Brady!
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The Germans, who hosted this summer’s track and field top event, seized on the opportunity to erase the memory of Hitler at the 1936 Olympics by donating a 3 ton piece of the wall, the smashed wall .This symbol of division is now redeemed into a symbol of honoring the bionic Bolt, a means of immortalizing Bolt’s magnificent feats. They too appreciate the enormous scope of his achievement.
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The New York Times produced a powerful graphic to put Bolt’s achievement into historical perspective. Take a look.
- In addition, sports medical science are trying to understand how a 6 ft. 5 inches guy can take 41.5 strides in his 100 meter dash.
- Superbowl champion wide receiver Hines Ward muses about seeing Bolt in the American football game.
- The minister of Tourism Bartlett wants to leverage Bolt’s flamboyant presence to bolster the tourism economy.
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Bolt is clearly a multiple generational phenomena. Jamaica is extremely blessed with Bolt being in our family. We need to take a larger strategic look on how we can multiply the positive impact of Bolt.
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The leverages to date has been focused on external implications. We look at his physical accomplishments , beat our chest, rerun the events, and through our national pride further the storyline.
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Let me suggest an additional component to make us reap even a richer blessing from his presence.
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Let’s face it. Our young men are in trouble. Strong role models are needed to provide a positive influence. Bolt is not only physically blessed, he has a mental toughness, and focus that are important ingredients in developing social intelligence. This is an enormous responsibility to place on his shoulder, but his promotion of clubs like Scouts, or other male-oriented institutions could provide a renaissance to these character building groups.
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- How about a series of public service announcement with the Governor General promoting the ” I believe in Jamaica “ theme.
- Would it be great to see Bolt and the entire track and field team promoting farming as a career choice for the young ?
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