The International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced Olympic legend Usain Bolt as an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will take place in the West Indies and USA from 1st to 29th June 2024.
The mega event is just a few weeks away with the trophy tour currently underway in different parts of the world.
"Bolt’s global appeal alongside his out of this world athletic achievements and ability to transcend boundaries makes him a perfect fit for the biggest T20 World Cup ever," ICC said in a press release.
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As an ambassador, Bolt will play a pivotal role in promoting the event, beginning with a cameo appearance in next week's release of the event's official anthem music video alongside iconic artists Sean Paul and Kes.
The eight-time Olympic Gold Medallist will also attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies and participate in fan engagement events to promote the sport within the United States.
Usain Bolt expressed his excitement about his new role, saying: "I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Coming from the Caribbean where cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart, and I look forward to attending West Indies matches at the World Cup and making a contribution to the growth of cricket globally.
“While I will of course be supporting West Indies at the World Cup, getting the sport into the US is big for cricket. It’s the biggest sports market in the world and the energy that we will bring for the T20 World Cup is a huge opportunity leading towards cricket’s inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028.”
It must be noted Bolt made history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio by achieving the 'Triple-Triple', securing three gold medals in three consecutive Olympic Games. His journey to global stardom began at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where he won the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, all in world record times.
Currently, Bolt holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs, and 36.84 secs, respectively. His first world record was set in the 100m in 2008 with a time of 9.72 secs in New York. He improved upon this with a time of 9.69 secs at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and further reduced it to 9.58 secs at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He maintains the three fastest times ever recorded: 9.58, 9.64, and 9.69 seconds.
