Usain Bolt’s dad Wellesley dies at 68 after long illness as tributes paid to ‘quiet force’ behind fastest man on Earth

USAIN Bolt’s father has died at 68 after a long battle with illness.

Wellesley Bolt, who oversaw the eight-time Olympic gold medallist’s rise to glory, passed away on Monday in Jamaica, local media confirmed.

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Wellesley Bolt has died at 68[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Tributes have been paid to the ‘quiet force’ behind Usain’s success, here alongside his wife Jennifer Bolt[/caption]

AFP

He was an ardent support of his son, Usain, an eight-time Olympic gold medallist[/caption]

Tributes have poured in for the committed father, who has been called the “quiet force” behind the fasted man on Earth.

Wellesley was a  well-respected figure in the tight-knit community of Sherwood Content in Trelawny, on Jamaica’s northern coast.

He ran a small grocery shop and, alongside his wife Jennifer Bolt, played a pivotal role in the early success of his world-famous son.

It was in that quiet rural district that Usain Bolt’s legendary sprinting journey began.

He later moved on to attend Williams Knibb High School, where his talent was further nurtured.

Wellesley and Jennifer stuck by their son’s side as he shot up through the world rankings and into global stardom.

The dad was often spotted cheering from the sidelines at major championships.

He was there at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Bolt won his first Olympic gold in the 100m with a world-record time.

As Usain’s fame ballooned, however, Wellesley maintained a low profile.

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John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow

Wellesley ran a small grocery shop in Trelawny, Jamaica[/caption]