Lightning Bolt¡¡

Usain Bolt is the world's fastest man. He first came to the public's attention at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where he won three gold medals. The most amazing of these was for the 100-metre race, which he ran in just 9.69 seconds - even though his shoelaces were undone and even though, while he was getting to the finish line, he was slowing down and already celebrating his victory. During that race, he reached a top speed of 43.9 kmph. So, we ask, how does the man whose nickname is 'Lightning Bolt', run so fast and just what does it feel like?

Usain Bolt was born in Jamaica on 21 August 1986. He has a brother and a sister and while they were growing up, they spent most of their time playing cricket and football in the street. Bolt was running around at primary school, when a teacher noticed he had a talent for sprinting. He became one of the best sprinters at his high school even though he didn't train very hard. At the age of fifteen, Bolt was 196 cm tall and he dominated the 2002 World Junior Championships, becoming the youngest person ever to win the 200 meters. He turned professional when he left high school, aged seventeen. During the first couple of years of Bolt's professional life, he got a few injuries, but his health soon improved and he began to win all the major championships. He went from strength to strength, amazing the world with his speed.

So, how does he do it? Bolt says that he is naturally fast - just something he was born with.

He's also got a number of people looking after him: his parents and family have always supported him. And one of the main reasons for his success is Norman Peart, his manager. Peart has looked after Bolt since he was fifteen, working hard to keep him focused.

However you explain it, Bolt's performances in Beijing were truly incredible. What's more incredible is that, since then, he has continued to get even faster. In August 2009, he smashed his own record by running the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds. At the fastest point in this race, he ran at an amazing 44.9 kmph. If you do this speed on a bicycle, it feels very quick. So, what does it feel like on your own two feet? 'It's just great running that fast,' says Bolt. 'It's lovely, just lovely.