Making of Usain Bolt: Legend

As a salute to the greatest in track and field, Usain Bolt, The Gleaner has produced a souvenir publication, which will be available to the public next month.

The book, which traces the athlete's career from Sherwood Content in Trelawny to the top of the world's stage, is the newspaper's way of celebrating Bolt on behalf of a grateful nation.

When Usain Bolt crosses the finish line in the 4x100 relays in August in London at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Championships of Track and Field, he will hang up his boots and retire from his glorious scene-stealing career in athletics.

Endorsed by the management of Bolt (UBM) and with support from the CHASE Fund, it is, perhaps, the only publication that will ever capture, in as much detail, the dizzying career and life of the world's number-one star of sprinting. Largely pictorial with images from The Gleaner Company (Media) Ltd and The Associated Press, the 208-page memorabilia spotlights some of the most defining moments of Bolt's sprint to stardom.

Legendary story

"It was necessary for the newspaper to be involved in documenting the career of Usain Bolt; not only because he is Jamaican, but he has managed to do many things during his career that are just once in a lifetime," said Gleaner's Editor-in-Chief, Garfield Grandison. "Those things, we believe, helped to make the Bolt story a legendary one."

Publisher Ian Randle said the book was one for all those at home and abroad to enjoy for generations to come. "It is our way of celebrating and preserving the memory of the glorious feats of Jamaica's only living legend, Usain Bolt," said Randle. "The book's unique quality is the simplicity of its design and content, which makes it accessible to all age groups ­ from school children to adults, both young and old."

Bolt himself is a contributor to the book's glossy pages, penning a farewell message, titled 'Finish Line', as a mark of gratitude to his many fans and well-wishers who have stood by him over his more-than-decade-long career.

Entities supporting the publication so far as a show of gratitude to the track and field superstar include JN Bank, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the CHASE Fund, J. Wray and Nephew Ltd, CariMed and the COK Sodality Cooperative Credit Union. The Chinese Embassy in Kingston has also supported the publication.