“I played cricket till the junior level. I was around 12-13 when I left the game,” said Bolt during a chat on the sidelines of the Athletisima Super Grand Prix in Lausanne. Asked why he left cricket, he said: “I was not fast enough. But I was good at running. Some of my friends used to make fun that my run-up to the crease was faster than my deliveries.”

Teacher McNeil was dead right when he told him that the track was his natural home. At age 15, Bolt set a junior world record for 200m with 20.61 seconds. Two years later, he became the first junior sprinter to break 20 seconds for 200m. And in Beijing, he showed why he is the best.

Bolt retains his love for cricket and follows the game closely. “I enjoy watching Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle and Matthew Hayden. They are all aggressive players and I like it that way. Especially Freddie Flintoff because that is how I used to play.” He is very impressed by the Twenty20 format and roots for the Australian cricket team. He also follows the NBA and football — he is a Real Madrid supporter.

So what does Usain Bolt do other than running? He loves animation movies and usually carries cartoon CDs. He can also tap a foot or two, on and off the track. Even in the dining hall. “That’s a true Jamaican,” said Patrick Darson, friend and Bolt’s strength trainer. “He enjoys every moment. So don’t be surprised if he starts shaking his body while sitting on a chair. Usain hasn’t changed a bit even after getting to the stage where he is today.”

Bolt agrees. “I wouldn’t say I’m a phenomenon. I’m probably just a great athlete.”