The dizzying flurry of news about Usain Bolt’s conquests is moving as fast as his feet. Today, photos have emerged of him kissing a third girl in Rio.
Yes, that’s on the same night he reportedly twerked with a clubber and ended up in bed with a student.
The Jamaican Olympic star undoubtedly has a lot to celebrate. He’s written himself into history books by scooping an unprecedented treble gold win in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay for the third time in successive games. And, if that wasn’t enough, he was also celebrating his 30th birthday.
It would be easy to hop aboard the Bolt carnival float and get swept along with the jubilant wild fanfare. After all, he’s the fastest man alive, an optimistic, brilliant showman, and we love him for it.
Who else would be serenaded by carnival-clad dancers on stage? Which other athlete would sing an impromptu rap with a Norwegian journalist who declared undying love?
We all beamed, watching in wide-eyed awe as he repeatedly smashed his races. Then we chuckled at the video of him dirty dancing to ‘Work’ at a Rio club on his birthday blowout, with smiles on our faces.
This morning, alongside photos of his latest passionate encounter, one excitable news headline joked, “Usain Bolt wins another triple!” It was then it dawned on us we have a problem in supporting the rampant celebrations. What’s the problem? Usain has a long-term girlfriend.
To be fair, we didn’t know he had a girlfriend until just a few days ago. It’s certainly not a relationship we’ve been long invested in – if getting invested in famous folk’s relationships is your thing.
He had kept his romantic life private until his Jamaican girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, sent the Internet into a spin after posting messages of support to him on her social media accounts, including her 30,000 followers on Instagram.
After Bolt won his triple gold medal haul she posted, “respect the legend.” On Twitter she’s affectionately described him as “My Boss” and “My babbbbbbbbbbbyyyyyyyyyyy!!!”
When asked about the relationship, Usain confirmed they’ve been dating for more than two years and in an Instagram post four months ago he referred to them as “President and First Lady”. Bolt’s sister, Christine Bolt-Hylton, added to the hysteria by revealing the two would likely get engaged.
If this were an AFL player, we’d be coming down on him like ten tons of footballs. Can you imagine the livid, raging headlines? They certainly wouldn’t be high fiving them for winning “another triple”.
So, we either have to stop clapping and cheering, or we cut the next guy (or girl) who gets frisky on a night out some slack. Which is it to be?
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Featured image: Whatsapp screengrab
Top Comments
And not a word about 'Jade Bolt' - as the Brazilian woman who took and published the photo renamed herself - for publicly exposing his private life. Seems like she clearly aimed at keeping this one for her ;)
It just goes to show the tricky dynamics of who is allowed to ride him and who isn't