Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Usain Bolt, Athletics, Olympics
Ryan Baldi
Usain Bolt is one of the greatest athletes of all time, and he reached unprecedented levels of achievement in his sport despite having a serious medical condition.
The Jamaican sprint king won eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world championship golds during his illustrious career.
And although he retired in 2017, still holds the world records in his two primary events, the 100m and 200m.
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And Bolt achieved all of this despite being diagnosed with scoliosis in his youth, a condition in which a person's spine curves irregularly and can get worse with age.
In fact, according to a 2017 article in the New York Times, Bolt's condition could actually have contributed to his incredible speed on the track.
“It could be that Bolt has naturally settled into his stride to accommodate the effects of scoliosis," the NYT piece read. "The condition curved his spine to the right and made his right leg half an inch shorter than his left, according to his autobiography.”
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Bolt discussed how his scoliosis has affected his sprinting career in a 2011 interview with ESPN.
"When I was younger it wasn't really a problem," he said. But you grow and it gets worse.
"My spine's really curved bad [makes "S" shape with finger]. But if I keep my core and back strong, the scoliosis doesn't really bother me. So I don't have to worry about it as long as I work hard.
"The early part of my career, when we didn't really know much about it, it really hampered me because I got injured every year."
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"Usain Bolt’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of physical challenges," wrote Dr Clayton Stitzel on the website treatingscoliosis.com. "Despite his condition, Bolt achieved remarkable success through tailored training regimens and unwavering support systems.
"His story serves as an inspiration, showcasing that with perseverance, one can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.
"By highlighting Bolt’s achievements and his ability to excel despite the odds, we learn valuable lessons about tenacity and the power of the human spirit. Usain Bolt’s story reminds us that with determination and the right mindset, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way."