By Taiwo Ajala
Record breaker and fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt finally got defeated on the tracks, this time by a virus, which had stopped almost one million people in their tracks: Bolt tested positive for Covid-19.
Confirming the news, Jamaican Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton said the athlete had been informed of his status after submitting himself for a test on Saturday.
In a video posted on his social media pages, the Jamaican star and eight- time Olympic gold medalist confirmed he has been self-isolating following news of his covid-19 status.
Just waking up, and like everybody else, I checked social media which is saying I am confirmed to have Covid-19,” said Bolt. He was lying on his bed and looking healthy and unworried while also confirming he has had no symptoms.
“I am trying to be responsible so I am going to stay in and stay here for my friends. I am going to quarantine myself and wait on the confirmation to see what is the protocol and how I should go about quarantining myself,” he added.
Bolt had been blamed after he hosted a party to celebrate his 34th birthday on Saturday; among the guests at the event was Raheem Sterling, Manchester City and England star. The video of the party showed guests dancing together without facemasks and doing very little to maintain social distance.
Bolt had written after the party: “Best birthday ever,” following which he took the Covid-19 test. Raheem Sterling has been confirmed early today to be negative.
There have been an avalanche of support for the star following the news with fans wishing him a speedy recovery from the disease.
Jamaica has had a confirmed total of 1,413 Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths on the island of around 3million.
Usain Bolt is the only man in history to have won three Olympic gold medals back to back in 2012, 2014 and 2016. But even with this achievement, he was unable to win the Covid -19 race.
