Usain Bolt: A Showman in search of the Right Show. Michael A. D. Edwards

If you were
A pure bolt of
Fire
Cutting the skies
I'd touch you risking
My life
Not because I'm
brave or
Strong
But because I'm
Fascinated by what the
Outcome
will be
-Nikki Giovanni, Fascinations

He can't run forever.

We knew that.

And yet, that knowledge of the certitude of Usain Bolt's ultimate departure from competitive athletics has hardly dimmed the fascination with him and his exploits.

From Beijing to London and Oslo and back to Kingston, Bolt has blazed a fiery trail of invincibility and irresistibility that has drawn and continues to draw millions into his large, radiant aura.

But, with only one more "big ticket" track meet awaiting him by his own admission - the 2017 London World Championships - and the mild taint of scandal (largely manufactured, if we're honest) lingering from his post- glory hijinks in Rio, Bolt is undoubtedly at the proverbial cross roads.

He will no longer have the stadia of the world at his disposal in the manner which he was used to, striding in like a Colossus, with arms raised, finger pressed to lips and the sundry physical and verbal gestures that have in no small part built his now undisputed legend

He may well have the attention of even larger corporate sponsors than he has at present (the Nike rumours persist), and its almost even money that scripts are being fashioned and scrutinized for the Hollywood-type biopic.

But not even such an epic is truly the right vessel to contain an individual of Bolt's record-setting stature. He's not national hero material, as some are proclaiming. But he has unquestionably contributed to the raising of Jamaica's profile globally, and he's done it with great aplomb and - sexcapades notwithstanding - a certain casual wholesomeness that, in drugs-plagued track and field, has lifted the profile of the sport like no other athlete of the era has been able to do. Adoration for him crosses geographic and generational boundaries.

Bolt then, is a born showman in search of a new show.

But not just any show. A figure such as the world has never before seen needs a correspondingly creative format. Not for the gangly and gregarious giant the deceptively easy grab of the analyst's chair; neither the circus-like itinerary of exhibition meets and special appearances.

Bolt himself is prime time, made for the reality series format like no other athlete before him. He needs to carefully consider his posts competitive future, not least because the money, contrary to popular assumption, isn't finite.

The post-Rio scandal will dissipate, but in its wake, he and his handlers must delicately balance the desire to keep him accessible and the very real need to keep him relevant and relatively wholesome; we know he's no angel, but to be perceived ad a mere Playboy would eventually tarnish his legendary status and hurt his income opportunities.

So what then should be Bolt's main focus post-running? Certainly not seeking a place in the first team at his beloved Manchester United. Nor pursuing his proclaimed first love of cricket.

No, Bolt must now be actively engaged in the search for his successor. He must scour the nation and use his money - and others' - in developing sports facilities nationwide. And not just in track and field. Bolt must put his enthusiasm for sports to work in unearthing the next generation of Jamaican sporting talent, and also to bring the world along for the ride: media, prospective investors, Government officials and well-wishers. He will not only visit schools and community centres, but boardrooms and political assemblies here and abroad, making the case and having fun while doing it as only he can.

Can we do it? The truth is, history affirms it, the future demands, and his legacy is definitely in search of it.

He must, and we must, even if only to see the outcome.

Sport/Brands: Bolt on time with Hublot

- from A Timely Perspective 

About his partnership with Hublot, he says he is very pleased with the relationship and the watches. “I was shocked when they approached me and wanted me to be an ambassador. This is a prestige brand, and I do track and field, and I thought they would do golf, or polo, so for them to approach me was an honor and it was an easy answer to be a part of this,” says Bolt. “We have done so much together over the years and they respect my Foundation also, which is great. We have just become a real family over the years, and I really appreciate them and their support every step of the way.” [Editor’s note: The Usain Bolt Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the character of children through educational and cultural development.]

Bolt said he wanted the new watch to “pop” and the gold version truly accomplishes that .

Regarding the new Usain Bolt watch, he says this one what he really wanted was for it to “pop.” He says Hublot struck it right — mission accomplished.  Bolt ran that 100M in 9.81 seconds, with USA’s Justin Gatlin coming in for the silver. Next up: the 200M on Tuesday August 16.

watches: "Watching" Rio

riday marked the official opening of Rio 2016 and despite the city not being ready—the start has come. With it, come a host of athletes – many of whom are also brand ambassadors for a variety of watch companies (including, Hublot, Montblanc, Rolex, Richard Mille, etc.), and we will have our eyes on them over the coming weeks. Omega is, of course, the official timekeeper of the event – as it has been for decades. We will bring you more about that this week. In the meantime, we bring you a quick look at the Olympic Games and its far reach.

Bubba Watson

So many more athletes come to the Games this year than in previous years, especially with golf making its return after more than a century. With golf teams from around the world attending, it means that stars such Omega brand ambassador and golf great Sergio Garcia, and Bubba Watson – who wears an nearly $1 million Richard Mille watch – will be seen by more than 3.6 billion global television viewers.

Richard Mille RM055 Bubba Watson watch

In the track and field realm, Yohan Blake, who sprinted to the silver medal in the London Games 100 meters run, is also a Richard Mille brand ambassador and is contending in Rio 2016.

Yohan Blake wearing his Richard Mille watch

He will most likely be sporting the Richard Mille watch that bears his name. (Yes he, like the other Mille brand ambassadors, wears his watch during “play.”)

Richard Mille RM059=01 Tourbillon Yohan Blake

Topping Blake in the London Olympic Games with a gold medal in the 100 meters, and heading to Rio to try to do it again, is Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, a Hublot ambassador.

Usain Bolt is a Hublot brand ambassador

Bolt  also has a watch named after him and co-designed by him. In fact, the most recently unveiled Hublot Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt watch is the second round of timepieces he has worked on with the brand.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt watch

Chinese badminton player, Lin Dan – a super star – will also be in the Games. He wears a specially made Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept watch, which you can read about here.

Montblanc Timewalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept watch made for Lin Dan

There are others, as well,vying for the Gold. That Gold medal, by the way, is not entirely made of gold. It is gold-plated silver and is valued at approximately $560 dollars (according the a $43.75 per-gram pricing of gold).  With 11,000 athletes competing in 28 sports, the Mint of Brazil had to produce 812 gold medals, 812 silver medals and more than 860 bronze medals.

Let’s see where and how those medals are distributed. As the Games unfold, we will bring you the news of who’s winning for the sports, the countries and the watch brands. Stay Tuned.

Sports: Bolt hits "32"

Jamaican runner Usain Bolt is now #32 on Forbes’ list of The World's Highest-Paid Athletes (2016). Salary aside, Bolt continues to impress. Today in Jamaica, the Olympic champion recorded the second fastest time of the year in winning a 100m race in Jamaica despite stumbling out of his starting blocks. Forbes writes:

Usain Bolt continues to blow away the competition on and off the track. He won gold in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. It is the same double he pulled off at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Bolt will race at the 2016 Rio Olympics with eyes on a three-peat. Bolt is in a class by himself in terms of his marketing prowess. His comps are not other track stars, but global icons like Messi, LeBron and Ronaldo. An Olympic year makes him an even hotter commodity. Bolt has 10 global partners, along with seven regional ones. Puma is his biggest backer with a deal worth north of $10 million a year.

Brands: Bolt helps Digicel "Bring the Beat' in Kingston

Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, yesterday teamed up with Digicel to launch its Bring the Beat campaign in front of an inquisitive bunch of little kids from across the Caribbean at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica yesterday. The launch took the form of a lively fireside chat session with Usain, hosted by nine-year old Naleighna-Kae McLean from Jamaica, followed by a 'Kiddie Press Conference'.

The Launch

Facing his toughest audience yet, the 30-strong kiddie press pack aged between six and ten years peppered Usain with questions they have been burning to ask all their lives. Seven-year old Ajani Brown, also from Jamaica, tried not to seem too keen but it was clear that he was eager to meet Usain and took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself asking; "Mr. Usain, can we be friends on Facebook when my mommy gets me one?" With laughter all around, Bolt responded; "Sure. But first let's take a selfie."

The Campaign

Digicel's Bring the Beat campaign represents the culture of the Caribbean and the irrepressible spirit which unites and ignites its people. Through music and the celebration of extraordinary talents, the campaign will connect the world to the Caribbean and its culture and support all of the athletes who are set to represent their countries in Brazil.

Inspired by the campaign, Trinidad and Tobago's soca monarch, Machel Montano released his latest single, 'Bring the Beat', featuring Jamaican songbird and winner of season 5 of NBC's The Voice, Tessanne Chin, as a tribute to the athletes as they take on the world in Brazil. Machel said; "The song represents and embodies everything the Bring the Beat campaign is about – connecting, inspiring and entertaining."

Six-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Usain Bolt, said; "It's really great to have the support of your country and the entire region when we are out there on the track. So I think this is a great campaign. For me I'm just focused on going out there and doing my best and showing the world how we bring the beat."

Digicel Group Director of Marketing, Peter Lloyd, said; "Music and sport have the power to bring people and nations together – and that is exactly what we are about. We will use beats, music, rhythm and talent to connect the world to our athletes no matter what flag they compete under."

Through social media, fans will have the opportunity to win tickets to some of their favourite sporting games this summer, like the NBA, CPL and of course, the biggest track and field event this year in Brazil to watch Shelly-Ann and Usain defend their titles.

-from Jean Lowrie-Chin post

Sport: Bellerin Betters Bolt?

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin is obviously quick, but it turns out the young Spanish full-back is actually capable of matching and outrunning 100m world record holder Usain Bolt over a short distance. A feat made all the sweeter for Gunners fans given "Lightning" Bolt's known affiliations to Manchester United

Bellerin clocked a 40m sprint time of 4.42 seconds earlier this season and it has been revealed that this time is actually faster than Bolt ran over the first 40m when he set the current world record at 9.58s in 2009.

The Jamaican icon's split time for the same distance in that race came in at 4.64s, practically sloth-like when compared to the Gunners' speedster.

Bolt set that world record at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin's famous Olympiastadion, the same week that he also shattered his own record over 200m.

Together with his Jamaican colleagues, he also holds the 4x100m relay world record, set at the 2012 Olympics in London.

It was only a few months ago that Bellerin officially became the fastest player at Arsenal, beating Theo Walcott's previous club record in the 40m sprint. It all came as quite a surprise to Bellerin though, who apparently had little idea quite how fast he is.

"Beating the record was at the beginning of the season and was really unexpected. There was a bit of banter, and he (Walcott) is trying to beat me now, so we will see what happens," the 20-year-old recently said.

"He was really close, I did not beat it by that much, but he still needs to beat me!"

Having played just once for Arsenal before this season, Bellerin has been given his chance in the first-team as a result of the injuries suffered by Mathieu Debuchy and is certainly grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

He's appeared 21 times in all competitions since bursting onto the scene in the Champions League in September - playing 90 minutes against Borussia Dortmund. The defender made his Premier League debut against Hull a month later and has been a regular since January.