Fri | May 17, 2024

Bolt backs Jamaica to maintain high Olympic level

Red Stripe ambassador hopes Seville can make podium

Published:Thursday | May 2, 2024 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
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Sean Wallace (left), head of commerce, Red Stripe, and Daaf Van Tilburg (right), managing director, Red Stripe, look on as Usain Bolt, multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist, signs a contract to become brand ambassador for Red Stripe during
Ian Allen
Sean Wallace (left), head of commerce, Red Stripe, and Daaf Van Tilburg (right), managing director, Red Stripe, look on as Usain Bolt, multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist, signs a contract to become brand ambassador for Red Stripe during the launch of Red Stripe’s ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ campaign at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre yesterday.
Usain Bolt (left), multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist, pulls out his signature pose with two Red Stripe dancers during the launch of Red Stripe’s ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ campaign at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre yesterday.
Ian Allen
Usain Bolt (left), multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist, pulls out his signature pose with two Red Stripe dancers during the launch of Red Stripe’s ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ campaign at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre yesterday.
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SPRINT LEGEND Usain Bolt expects Jamaica to maintain their high level of performance at the Paris Olympic Games starting in July.

Bolt, who was unveiled as Red Stripe ambassador on their ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ campaign at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre yesterday, is also looking for Oblique Seville to finally get on to the medal podium.

Bolt described his partnership with the beer giants as “big” and said that he was looking for even bigger things from the collaboration.

“Red Stripe is an international brand. So to associate myself with them is just a wonderful experience.

“I am excited about this partnership, and I am looking forward to bigger and better things.

“Red Stripe is international. Locally, it’s a big brand. It is something I am happy about, but we have a lot of work to do.

“So I want to thank Red Stripe for the opportunity to represent this brand and looking forward to continuing the greatness,” he said.

This will be the sprint icon’s second Olympics as a spectator since first competing at the 2008 games in Beijing, China.

Still, he expects Jamaica to maintain their strong presence at the games.

“Overall, we all have high hopes. The throwers, jumpers, everybody. Everyone is doing well, and you can see where they are stepping up.

“But the medal tally will be good as always. Jamaica always show up. We always get at least five medals, and I think we are aiming to get eight to 10 medals there,” he said.

Bolt is hoping that Seville, who is under the guidance of his former coach, Glen Mills, and who finished fourth at the last two World Championships, goes at least one better this time.

“I am really hoping Oblique can break the top three this time around. I think he has always worked hard over the year and is always in the final and always doing well. So hopefully, he will break into the top three.

“I think they will (maintain their performance). Jamaica is always up there. We are still the sprint capital of the world, and I think we will continue to dominate,” he said.

Red Stripe’s head of commerce Sean Wallace said the partnership is intended to celebrate and inspire the nation’s athletes as they go in pursuit of gold in Paris.

“The partnership between ourselves and Mr Bolt is meant to celebrate Jamaican talent, determination, and resilience and is also meant to inspire us to go for gold and glory in Paris,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com