Bolt to set Bangalore pulse racing

Lightning Bolt is set to strike Bangalore on September 2. The reigning superstar of world athletics, Usain Bolt, will visit the Garden City on that day, and enthral a privileged audience and interact with the winners of a contest conducted jointly by his sponsors Puma and online shopping major Flipkart.

Though the details of his visit have been kept a secret, the news that he will be in India for the first time is sure to trigger a tidal wave of excitement in the sporting fraternity, with the Jamaican having attained a cult following across the globe, and not just among track-and-field fans.

A true global sporting phenomenon, Bolt’s spectacular performances over the last six years have not been the only reason for his popularity. His easygoing personality and ability to strike a chord with fans of all ages have made him a world citizen of sorts.

The towering 28-year-old, winner of a six Olympic gold medals and eight world championship titles, also holds the world records in 100M and 200M, besides being part of the squad that set the 4x100M relay record.

Bolt’s aura was in complete evidence at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Soldiering through a foot surgery and hamstring injury, he stayed off track for most of this season before choosing to race in the relay. The fans instantly welcomed his decision, flocking to the stadium for the heats, and the finals where he ran a blistering anchor leg. 

Indian fans had expected Bolt to run in the 2010 CWG in New Delhi, but the Jamaican decided not to turn up, citing a busy calendar.