Usain Bolt is one of the most popular and recognizable athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, so it’s no surprise that his press conference on Monday drew a large crowd. What actually took place at the news conference, however, was a total surprise.
From asking the media to cheer for him, to a reporter performing a rap for the Jamaican track star, to the whole thing ending with Bolt dancing samba among some Brazilian dancers, the news conference looked more like a publicity tour for a Las Vegas show than a news conference for a sprinter.
Take a look at some of the video clips. Here’s Bolt demanding some applause for his entrance:
Bolt: “You guys have to clap louder than that” pic.twitter.com/1g53UDqhxH
— [J]ayJChillin (@JayJazzi) August 8, 2016
Here is a Norwegian journalist performing a rap for Bolt:
This type of Usain Bolt fanboy rubbish is ridiculous. Be a proper journalist. IOC know he was gona do it? Possibly.pic.twitter.com/FsyHGbSODu
— Cillian O Conchuir (@killeroc) August 8, 2016
Did you hear his line about the Segway? That was a reference to this video from 2015.
But the best part of all was the exit. Bolt danced with some Brazilian dancers as he made his way off the stage:
Usain Bolt leaves a presser by grooving with Brazilian Samba dancers. Expect anything different? pic.twitter.com/rAr4eanknH
— Dan Bickley (@danbickley) August 8, 2016
Usain Bolt walking out of his press conference with a dancing entourage pic.twitter.com/6vm9mIlEBD
— Rick Maese (@RickMaese) August 8, 2016
When Bolt said he was having too lazy of a day to attend opening ceremonies, we now understand that he was really just conserving his energy for this press conference.
