PM lauds Usain Bolt’s upbringing at funeral for sprint icon’s father…

PM lauds Usain Bolt’s upbringing at funeral for sprint icon’s father…

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Wellesley Bolt, father of sprint legend Usain Bolt, at his funeral on Sunday, highlighting the values and upbringing that shaped the Olympic champion into a global icon.

 

The service, held at the Waldensia Baptist Church in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, drew hundreds of mourners, including government officials, members of Jamaica’s athletic fraternity, and members of the local community. Usain Bolt, visibly emotional, sat in the front row alongside family members as they paid their final respects to the man many say laid the foundation for one of the most remarkable sporting careers in history.

 

Prime Minister Holness praised Wellesley Bolt not just as a father, but as a man of humility, discipline, and strong moral character.

 

“Today we honour not only the father of a legend, but a man who embodied the values of hard work, modesty, and unwavering support for his family,” Holness said. “It is clear that the strength and humility that Usain Bolt carries with him, on and off the track, began at home, with his parents. Wellesley Bolt played an instrumental role in nurturing a son who became a beacon of pride for Jamaica and the world.”

 

Wellesley Bolt, who passed away in late April at the age of 68 after a period of illness, was remembered by many in Sherwood Content as a quiet, hardworking man who stayed grounded despite his son’s international fame. Residents recalled his warm smile and active presence in the community, often working at the family-run grocery store even after Usain had earned global stardom.

 

Rev. Donovan Williams, who led the service, reflected on Wellesley’s deep-rooted faith and dedication to his family. “Wellesley did not seek the spotlight, but in raising his children with love, discipline, and faith, he helped give the world a hero,” Williams said.

 

Usain Bolt did not deliver a formal eulogy, but he shared a short and emotional message at the end of the service. “My father was my rock. He taught me how to be humble, how to respect people, and how to never forget where I came from. I will carry those lessons with me forever,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

 

Among the attendees were Minister of Sport Olivia Grange, Olympic medalists Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Yohan Blake, and representatives of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), all of whom expressed condolences and spoke of the positive influence Wellesley had on the Bolt family and the wider community.

 

Following the service, Wellesley Bolt was laid to rest at the family plot in Sherwood Content.

 

As the sun set over the quiet hills of Trelawny, the legacy of Wellesley Bolt was etched not just in the memory of those who knew him, but in the enduring greatness of the son he raised.