“You can’t just go to the park or any parks. You have to be careful.” That’s not a paranoid parent talking—it’s Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth, opening up about one of the slowest, quietest things he craves: a normal dad’s life. Back in 2024, Bolt got real about the not-so-glamorous side of being famous while raising three kids. Sure, fame brings perks—but it also means he can’t just blend in at the playground or sneak out for ice cream without turning heads. Even the simplest dad moments become complicated when you’re constantly being recognized. And recently, in a YouTube interview, Bolt didn’t hold back, calling out one of the harshest realities of his fame.

On April 30, 2025, sprint legend Usain Bolt appeared on the YouTube podcast Changed, hosted by Colin Jackson, as part of a special episode titled “PUMA.” During the episode, Jackson threw a deeply personal question at Bolt: “What’s the toughest thing about being you? But also, what’s the best thing about being you?” With zero hesitation and no sugarcoating, Bolt gave a heartfelt response. He admitted that fame is both a blessing and a burden. “It’s hard just to be a dad,” he shared.

Whether he’s taking his kids to the park or just trying to enjoy family time, he’s often interrupted by fans who still recognize him instantly. “When I take my kids out to the park, some people are still like, Oh, there’s Usain… It’s tough, because now you want to be a dad and be a family guy and do stuff with just your kids.” But then again, fame opens unexpected doors—like slipping into a packed football match just by making a call.

“It’s a double-sided sword,” he said. “It’s good, but it could be a little bit tricky.” Bolt’s vulnerability struck a chord, especially with fans who mostly remember him for his lightning speed and world records. But off the track, Usain Bolt is a father of three—his first daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt, was born on May 17, 2020, followed by twin sons, Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt, on May 9, 2021.

 His words added a human touch to the superstar persona we’ve watched dominate tracks for over a decade. The man who once ruled the Olympics now faces a challenge millions can relate to: carving out time for his kids while the world still wants a piece of him. Of course, there are perks to being Usain Bolt—like skipping the line at a Manchester United match, something he admits he fully enjoys as a lifelong Red Devils fan.

But his fame didn’t come overnight. Bolt’s road to icon status began in Beijing 2008, when the then-21-year-old burst onto the scene with jaw-dropping wins in the 100m and 200m sprints, setting world records that still stand today. That unforgettable Olympic moment didn’t just change his life—it changed track and field forever. But being a father also comes with other challenges.

Usain Bolt says parenting three kids is tougher than winning Olympic gold

Usain Bolt might be the fastest man in history, but when it comes to raising kids, he says it’s a whole different race. The Olympic legend is now a proud father of three—Olympia Lightning and twin boys Thunder and Saint Leo—and admits that parenting is a much tougher challenge than dominating the track. “It’s pandemonium,” he laughed in an interview.

“[It’s harder] being a father of three, of all of them, especially when they’re crying. It’s great, but everybody’s crying?” Still, Bolt embraces the chaos, saying that fatherhood has taught him patience and brought a new kind of joy into his life. Even with lightning-fast genes in the mix, Bolt has no plans to push his kids into filling his gold spikes. “That’s always a key thing: just support your child in whatever they want to do,” he said.

While he’d be thrilled if they end up loving sports, he’s more focused on letting them choose their own paths. “I’m not going to be that parent who says, ‘You have to be a sprinter.’” Instead, he’s all about encouragement—whether that leads to the track, the arts, or something totally different. Being a global icon does complicate things, though. Even a simple family outing can turn into a public event.

“You don’t really get to enjoy dinner, just to take the kids out,” he admitted. Despite the lack of privacy, Usain Bolt is all-in when it comes to quality time with his family. From sleepless nights to spontaneous dance parties with the kids, he’s soaking in the moments—and laughing through the madness.