Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Usain Bolt

Whether or not they can trace the bloodline to Usain, most Jamaicans with the surname 'Bolt' have thrown their support behind the world 100-metre record holder in his bid to win the 100-metre sprint at the Beijing Olympics, which is being held in China.

A significant number of the persons with the same surname have claimed the athlete to be either their first, second or third cousin and in one case 'a brother'. Of the list of Bolts in the directory, 17 answered The Gleaner's call and of that number, nine said they are related to Usain.

In addition, The Gleaner made contact with other popular persons with the same surname.

"Yes! We are second cousins," said the Rev Errol Bolt, pastor of the Kencot Christian Fellowship Church in Kencot, Kingston.

The last time he saw and spoke with Bolt was two years ago at a function held in honour of Merlene Ottey at the National Stadium.

Praying

"He has been busy training and I have been dealing with my church," said Rev Bolt.

The clergyman further explains that he and members of his church have been praying for Usain Bolt. They are confident that he will take home the gold.

A returning resident, who identified himself as Arnold Bolt, said he was also related to Usain.

"We are cousins," said Bolt (Arnold) who was part of a group celebrating the Spring Village Homecoming in Old Harbour, St Catherine, earlier this week.

The returning resident who now lives in Moneague, St Ann, said he and family are proud of the younger Bolt and believes he will take the sprint double. Although he is one of the athlete's biggest supporters, he has never met Bolt before.

The former William Knibb schoolboy has transformed from a childhood cricketer to a world beater. In one of his interviews with Sport24, one of the international news networks, Bolt said he and his brother used to play cricket in the street, at age nine, before taking track and field more serious.