Wellesley Bolt, the father of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, has passed away following a prolonged illness. The Jamaica Observer confirmed his death on Monday.

A well-respected figure in the tight-knit community of Sherwood Content in Trelawny, Wellesley Bolt operated a small grocery shop and played a pivotal role in the early life and rise to greatness of his world-famous son. It was in that quiet rural district that Usain Bolt’s legendary sprinting journey began, before he moved on to attend Williams Knibb High School, where his prodigious talent was nurtured.

Wellesley, along with his wife Jennifer Bolt, stood steadfastly by their son’s side during his meteoric rise to global superstardom. He was frequently seen at major championships, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Usain won his first Olympic gold in the 100m with a stunning world-record performance that announced his dominance on the world stage.

Throughout Bolt’s career, Wellesley maintained a low profile but remained a constant and supportive presence in his son’s life, providing the foundation upon which the sprint icon built his career.

Wellesley Bolt is survived by his children Usain, Sadiki, and Christine Bolt-Hylton.