FILE - Usain Bolt has became a co-owner of Irish esports organisation WYLDE. In this file photo, Bolt visits the remodeled Atletico de la VIDENA Stadium for the 2019 Pan American Games, Peru April 3, 2019. File photo: Henry Romero/Reuters
Usain Bolt is running in a new direction, as the Jamaican sprinting champion became a co-owner of Irish esports organisation WYLDE on Wednesday.
Bolt will be actively involved efforts to grow WYLDE's brand, the company announced. The two-year-old organisation currently fields teams in Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, Rocket League and FIFA.
Bolt said in a statement, "WYLDE is on a journey to becoming one of the biggest brands in the fastest growing sport in the world. In esports, like in track & field, it's critical to have that competitive, winning mentality. I look forward to working with the WYLDE leadership team to help our players to reach their potential, while also taking care of their physical and mental wellbeing."
He added on his Twitter account, "It's time for the Fastest Man on the planet to join the fastest growing sport in the world, Esport. This is my team, this is WYLDE. ... #GOWYLDE"
It’s time for the Fastest Man on the planet to join the fastest growing sport in the world, Esport.
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) March 29, 2022
This is my team, this is WYLDE.
Follow @wylde_gg #GOWYLDE ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XlsAd7DViU
WYLDE co-founder David Cronin added, "Usain coming on board takes WYLDE to the next level. With his vast competitive experience and Olympic-winning mentality, his guidance will be invaluable as we continue to build professional structures to support the development of our players."
Cronin is the former president and chief executive of the American Ireland Funds, and he was a founding shareholder of Irish tech firm Qumas. He co-founded WYLDE with former JP Morgan investment banker Steve Daly.
9.58 seconds
— WYLDE (@WYLDE_gg) March 29, 2022
8 Olympic gold medals
1 esports organization
Anything is possible.
Welcome @usainbolt ⚡️, the Chief of Inspiration #GOWYLDE pic.twitter.com/h9k53z28GK
Bolt, 35, won eight Olympic gold medals -- two at Beijing in 2008, three at London in 2012 and three at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. He added 11 world championship gold medals before retiring from competition in 2017.
Reuters