Dr the Honourable Usain Bolt, O.J., has been honoured with the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Exemplar Sports Award from The University of the West Indies (The UWI). ‘Dr Bolt’ received the alumni award for his outstanding sportsmanship, consistent record-breaking athletic performances, his continuing affiliation as an exceptional honorary alum of The UWI, and as an inspiration and role model for Caribbean youth. The award was presented at an intimate ceremony, held at The University’s Regional Headquarters in Mona, Jamaica on October 29th and streamed live. 

In 2011 Bolt was enlisted as an honorary graduate of The UWI, with a doctorate from the Mona Campus. Following that honour, two of The University’s sporting facilities (at the Mona and Cave Hill campuses) have also been named in his honour. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles stated “Dr Bolt is a sports legend, deserving of this special Alumni Exemplar Sports Award which highlights his talent, zeal and determination. Going forward the award will be presented every three years to outstanding alumni in the field of sports.”

Vice-Chancellor Beckles also announced an inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s University Student Athlete Awards, to begin in 2016 and invited Bolt to present a ‘Usain Bolt Award’. This will be presented to one athlete from each UWI campus who has excelled not only in athletic, but also academic performance, and has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, thereby exemplifying both Bolt’s and The UWI’s core value of excellence.

Bolt is a three-times world record holder, six-times Olympic gold medal winner, holder of 11 world championship gold medals, one world junior record and one world junior championship gold medal. 

In his acceptance remarks Bolt said, “Being recognised in your own county is always one of my proudest moments.  I am honoured to receive The UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Exemplar Sports Award.  This makes me want to work harder to make my country, my family, my friends and my fans proud.  I live to inspire young and old.” 

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Government of Jamaica, members of UWI senior and executive management and student representatives from the Mona Campus, including, Rushell Clayton, a scholarship awardee and 100M and 400M hurdler. The young athlete said that Bolt inspired her in countless ways and that she was moved by his passion for sports, his will to stay on top and his work ethic in particular.  She added, “Usain Bolt has paved the way for so many and made it known that a lot came from just a little bit.  I consider myself blessed and fortunate to train in the same facility as Usain Bolt and my ultimate goal is to be an Olympic and World Champion like he is.”