Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah

Usain Bolt is, without question, the fastest man in the world. He owns the record for the 150-meter dash, the 100-meter (where his record is a ridiculous sub-10 seconds), the 200-meter, and, as MDS mentioned, he may as well go ahead and try to add the 400-meters and the long jump trophies to a case that includes 2008 Athlete of the Year.

In the meantime though, he's busy with a new, ahem, pet project: he just adopted a cheetah, which, as you may know, is the world's fastest animal. Seriously.

The Jamaican sprinter's sponsorship of the 3-month-old male cheetah is part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment.

But the best part is his name: Lightning Bolt!!!! Get it? His first name is Lightning (because he's fast) and then because he's Usain's "child" his last name automatically becomes Bolt! (Sorry, I have no idea why I think that's so awesome, but I do.)

Know what else is awesome? Bolt is doing this as part of an effort to PROMOTE nature conservation and to help animals and although I'm sure PETA will find a way to get angry with Bolt, it's really cool to see someone who doesn't need to help out this cause do so anyway.

Particularly when you consider that Bolt paid $13,700 for the cheetah and will pay $3,000 a year to care for LB, who will be placed in a Narobi conservatory. And let me tell you one other thing: if I wouldn't feel like a total wuss for saying "OMG, THAT CHEETAH IS SOOO CUTE!" I totally would. Just saying.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-04-2009 @ 2:17PM

kmon3y93 said...

i think this is just so spactacular and a shocker to see that this man would take on the challenge of raising a cheetah. its already great that he is the fastest runner on earth...i want to be just as fast as him one day...well at least for some of the races that he has set records for..lol

11-04-2009 @ 7:22PM

bellered said...

He's not taking on the challenge of raising a Cheetah -- he's spending the money to sponsor one, and doing what he can to raise awareness.

Article says it's going to cost him two grand a year, and that the cheetah will live in a Nairobi conservatory. So, unless Usain is moving to a Nairobi conservatory as well, he won't be raising the animal.

Which is probably for the best -- wild animals, generally speaking, should be raised by professionals, so they can grow up as close to naturally wild as possible. Rather than being someone's inappropriate (and unhappy) pet.

11-04-2009 @ 2:21PM

Cole said...

Dawww! He's soo cuuute! I hope he likes his life at the conservation! :)

11-04-2009 @ 2:25PM

Wolfie said...

I think that's awesome.

11-04-2009 @ 2:26PM

Buffy Zaro said...

I think it's great that he is helping this cheeta!! more people should

11-04-2009 @ 3:12PM

melliott0802 said...

The best part about this story isn't that he is adopting the cheetah, but that he isn't stupid enough to raise it himself. I have an incredible amount of respect for him to bring awareness without using it was the next accessory. Good job!

11-04-2009 @ 3:36PM

gracepanetta said...

awww....he's so cute!!!!! i just want to pat his furry little head right now.

11-04-2009 @ 5:39PM

jbjg24m said...

and he just might take your hand off with that pat on his head!

11-04-2009 @ 5:03PM

StillDezzin said...

An amazing athlete with heart, soul, and looks! BRAVO to Usain Bolt for using his visibility and fame in the cause of saving a precious life and doing it RIGHT. May he and Lightning Bolt live long and prosper!

11-04-2009 @ 7:39PM

xktimsx said...

This guy is AWESOME!! Its is so entertaining to watch run, it is nice to know he is a really good human being not just another jock. BRAVO BOLT!!! You have my vote!! Seriously that cheetah is the cutest thing I have seen ina long time!! And he seems to love his new papa.

11-04-2009 @ 7:42PM

Robert said...

Cheetahs rock! Check out the Cheetah Cams at the National Zoo in Washington DC. They have a Cheetah conservation program there and sometimes there's cubs.

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11-04-2009 @ 7:46PM

Ash said...

Bolt is doing everything right here!
He is using his fame for something positive that benefits his home country. He is not just getting a cheetah to show it off, he is sponsoring one in a responsbile way. No one should complain here ^_^