Bolt for US talk shows

published: Friday | September 12, 2008

Brian Bonitto, Acting Entertainment Editor



DOUBLE world-record holder Usain Bolt has no intention of slowing down. After conquering the Beijing Olympics, the 22-year-old sprinter is poised for another circuit: the US talk shows.

According to the CBS website, the sprint sensation is scheduled for 'The Late Show' with David Letterman this month, marking his first US talk-show appearance.

Bolt's manager, Norman Peart, confirmed that he would appear on the popular show on Wednesday, September 24, and that there were similar requests from rival programmes.

Peart, who has mentored Bolt since he was 15, named the other high-profile US television appear-ances, scheduled this month for the triple Olympic gold medallist.

"He's to be on the 'Daily Show' with Jon Stewart on the 25th; and, Regis and Kelly on the 26th," he said.

Asked whether the sprint star's management team had got bigger to deal with the new demands since Bolt's Olympic triumphs, Peart said there was no reason to.

"We have had the same team since 2003 ... and there are no immediate plans to expand," he said.

Bolt, nicknamed 'Lightning Bolt', won the 100 and 200 metres in Beijing, China, in world-record times of 9.69 seconds, and 19.30 seconds, respectively. His third gold medal came in the 4x100m relay which was also done in a record time of 37.10 seconds.

Bolt became the first man since American Carl Lewis in 1984, in Los Angeles, to win three gold medals in track and field at an Olympics.

Hero's welcome

He was given a hero's welcome on his return to Jamaica on Monday.

Asked if Spanish football champions Real Madrid had also invited the track star to visit their Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as reported by The Associated Press, Peart could not confirm.

"I know he's a Manchester United fan," he said. "But, as I said, we have a lot of requests."

Yesterday, Bolt and 200m Olympic gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown were appointed UNESCO champions for sport.