Saturday, February 20, 2010

JAMAICA'S triple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist Usain Bolt has inked a book deal with HarperSport, valued at a whopping £2 million. According to a report published by insidethegames, the two-book deal, which was announced yesterday, will include an autobiography shortly after the London 2012 Games. Jonathan Taylor, the publishing director of Harper NonFiction, bought world rights in a deal brokered with Bolt's representatives by Chris Nathaniel of NVA Management.

" Welcoming Usain into the HarperSport fold is a huge thrill and a real privilege. He is the most iconic sports star on the planet and our global publishing plans for him are exciting and extensive," Taylor said. The first book will be an illustrated title, due to be published in October 2010. Described as "an illustrative narrative celebration", it will look at Bolt's record-breaking career to date, his Caribbean roots and what inspires and motivates him. The second book will be a full-length autobiography, which will be in autumn 2012, shortly after London, where he is set to be the star of the Games.

The back-to-back 2008 and 2009 IAAF Male Athlete of the published Year burst onto the scene at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston when he became the youngest ever winner of the 200 metres. He was 15. But it was at 2008 Beijing Olympics where Bolt really made his mark, claiming gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, setting worlds record in all three events. At last summer's World Championships in Berlin, the tall sprinter improved his marks in the 100 and 200m, setting times of 9.58sec and 19.19sec, respectively.

The 23-year-old was also a member of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team that won the gold medal. Bolt, who opened his 2010 season last Saturday at the sixth Camperdown Classic with 45.87 in the 400m, was happy with the deal. "I'm delighted to be publishing my two books with the guys at HarperCollins and I'm determined to give my fans all over the world a great insight into me and my life," Bolt said.