Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): An atypical member of the cat family capable of reaching speeds between 112 and 120km/h (70 and 75mph) and covering distances up to 460m (1,500ft), and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 103km/h (64mph) in three seconds, faster than most racecars….recent studies confirm the cheetah’s status as the fastest land animal, just as recent historical events have confirmed Usain Bolt as the world’s fastest man.

Usain Bolt took a four-day visit to Kenya to assist in the launch of a Foundation and to adopt a baby cheetah named “Lighting Bolt.” Bolt has agreed to sponsor the three-month-old male cheetah as part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment. The world record-holder paid $13,700 to formally adopt the precious cub, with the money going to the Kenya Wildlife Service…Bolt will also pay $3,000 a year to care for Lighting Bolt, who will be raised at an animal orphanage in Nairobi. Lighting Bolt is among three cubs rescued by KWS officials after their mother abandoned them in a game park.

Besides the adoption of Lighting Bolt, Usain was in Kenya to help launch the Zeitz Foundation, a foundation that seeks to promote innovative and holistic approaches that enhance economic, social and environmental sustainability. Bolt made the rounds in Kenya with Colin Jackson, a former 110-meter hurdles Olympic champion, and Jochen Zeitz, the chief executive of athletic gear manufacturer Puma-who made the visit to launch his charity’s campaign to preserve ecosystems.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conserves and manages Kenya’s wildlife for the Kenyan people and the world. The challenges facing wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Kenya are many and varied. They include climate change, habitat degradation and loss, forest depletion, tourism market volatility, human wildlife conflict brought on by population growth and changing land use habits of communities that co-exist with wildlife as well as wildlife crime.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

‘Sir’ Usain Bolt Honored in Jamaica

“Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.” (Lois McMaster Bujold)

Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, has another record under his belt…Bolt has become the youngest person ever (23 years old) to receive one of his Caribbean homeland’s highest honors, the Order of Jamaica. Bolt received the award during Monday’s heritage celebrations in the capital of Kingston.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen is seen here with Bolt after he was decorated with the Order of Jamaica, the country’s fourth highest honor…the Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honors system…which means from here on out, I shall refer to him as SIR Bolt.

This Honor was given to Bolt two days after he participated in the charity invitational celebrity cricket match…the one-day event also featured West Indies stars Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor facing veterans such as Courtney Walsh, Richie Richardson and Curtley Ambrose.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Usain Bolt Playing Cricket for Charity

“Cricket is my first love, I grew up watching cricketers like Courtney Walsh take the West Indies to new heights and I am a big admirer of Chris Gayle for his power batting and calm attitude; he is my favorite player right now. So, to have the chance to play with these guys is a dream come true for me.” Usain Bolt, Olympic and world 100 and 200-meter champion and record-holder (photographed with Jude Law, who has no connection to this post aside from being eye-candy)

Being a California girl, I haven’t had much exposure to cricket, but what I have seen is a fast, wicked, competitive sport brimming with some of the world’s best athletes. And one of the worlds best, Usain Bolt, has agreed to lend his speed to the sport and play cricket this weekend for charity…the world’s fastest man will play with some of his Caribbean cricket heroes in a 15-over tournament organized by West Indies captain Chris Gayle at Discovery Bay…

“When I heard about the event that Chris Gayle was planning, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Bolt said. “It’s great that he is finding ways to use his sport to spread positive energy and get the kids excited about improving their game and learning the right attitude to succeed on the pitch and in life.”

The one-day tournament, which has attracted main sponsorship from Digicel, will feature some of the biggest cricketing names…and yes ladies, some of these cricket players are mighty fine beasts…participating hotties include: Chris Gayle (R), Ramnaresh Sarwan (L), Jerome Taylor, Courtney Walsh, Richie Richardson and Curtley Ambrose…Kieran Foley, marketing director for sponsor Digicel Group said: “We are delighted that another member of the Digicel family - in the shape of Usain Bolt - has come on board to support this event. Digicel is committed to giving value back to its communities and this event is yet another example of that. With the mix of world-class cricketers and the world’s fastest man, the crowds are guaranteed a fantastic time this Sunday.”

Need more Bolt? The three-time Olympic gold medalist-who is single handedly redefining our reasons for wanting a Jamaican vacation, has also clinched the number two spot on the ‘Ask Men’ list of the Most Influential Men of 2009…according to the site: ‘Usain Bolt’s phenomenal achievements on the track made him an obvious choice for the 2009 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, and the runner earned a number of prestigious honors from his native country as well. In September, Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding announced that the champion sprinter will receive the Order of Jamaica, making the soon-to-be titled Honorable Usain Bolt the youngest recipient ever of the Order.’

And in case you missed the news, Usain’s Super Party is gonna be off-the-hook…now if I could just find someone to take me…

USAIN BOLT SUPER PARTY LAUNCH PROMO from Adrian Allen on Vimeo.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Usain Bolt to Host Super Party

The world’s fastest man wants you to come party with him in Jamaica…Usain Bolt and his management team have announced that they will host a two day series of activities ending with a one-of-a-kind SuperParty, December 4-5 2009. The ‘9.58 SuperParty’ will take place on December 5, 2009 at Richmond Estate in St Ann.

“We want to achieve several objectives”, said Norman Peart, Usain’s Manager, “Of course we want to celebrate Usain’s phenomenal 2009 achievements with his friends, family and fans, and we felt that nothing would better represent Usain but a party where he could mingle and have fun with everyone. However our aim in producing this SuperParty goes beyond celebrating Bolts accomplishments, as we now move to a phase where the world sees Usain St Leo Bolt, passionately and responsibly inviting people to visit, party and do business with Jamaica.”

As we speak, the guest list is still being compiled…most will be “international celebrity athletes” who have become friends of Usain…all will enjoy two days of fun in the sun…a celebrity sports clinic…a celebrity media reception…and the SuperParty…but its not just about partying with the stud that makes this event attractive, its what behind the man hosting the event that makes me scream Yams! “I have been lucky to be given the chance to meet so many wonderful and talented athletes from all around the world, and I believe that if I can create the opportunity for youngsters (and Delinda) to meet, interact and work with top class professional athletes, it will be one of my greatest achievements. I want to invite some of these professionals who I have met, to come to enjoy the weekend with me, and also to spend time with some youngsters, and share their knowledge and experience with them.”

Aside from the ‘party’ aspect of a weekend in Jamaica with the worlds top athletes, Bolt aims to raise funds for charity and community activities…with a focus on Bolt’s hometown of Sherwood…“Currently the medical center in Sherwood is built on leased land”, Peart explained, “and there is the possibility that they may be forced to move as the land may go for sale. We want raise funds that can go towards helping with the purchase of the land, so that the center can have a permanent home, and also be refurbished. Depending on how much we are able to raise we will also funnel funds through the United Way to other worthy charities.”

For more info: Usain Bolt

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com