Rio Olympics 2016: Usain Bolt reveals he used history making speed to dodge cab fares
USAIN BOLT honed his history-making speed running away from taxi drivers without paying.
The Olympic phenomenon has smashed more records at the Rio 2016 Olympics as he continues to rewrite the history books and laws of physical capability. But his greatest speed away from competition was produced to dodge a cab fare.
The 29-year-old Jamaica legend revealed back in 2012, during a radio interview, that the quickest he’s ever moved without aiming for a medal was at the end of a night out with friends when he was left picking up the tab for a trip home after a party.
The fun-loving sprint king was left in the lurch by his pals who got a head start on the planet’s fastest man by not letting him in on their cunning – and illegal – money-saving scheme.
But, after an intense stare-off with the driver, the eight-time gold medallist had it away on his toes.
He revealed: “I remember this one time I was in a cab with my friends we were coming back from a party - and we are all track athletes - and they all decided to not pay the taxi man.
“So they all burst out running but I wasn’t informed of this so I am sitting there looking taxi driver – after everybody runs off - he’s looking at me, and I am not about to pay for everybody.
“So I just bust out running also. That was pretty much the fastest.
“I got out and ran and he was trying to run me down. He was just trying to get paid.”
RELATED STORIES:
In February this year, Bolt was more generous to a Sussex-based cab firm after they helped him make a flight from Gatwick he was destined to miss.
Irfan Hussain, of Metro Cars, manged to get the track icon to the airport in time and Bolt was full of praise, saying: “"Yo, this is Usain Bolt. It's cold as hell outside.
"Metro cars got me here safe and sound. Appreciate it bruv. Metro cars - respect."
And Owner Zaff Khan said: "Eventful night at Metro Cars.
"The highlight was getting a call from Usain Bolt.
"At Metro Cars we're delighted that Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man loved using our cab service.
"We pride ourselves on giving the best service for everyone and we're deeply proud that Usain was so happy using one of our cabs he agreed to say a few words.”