Adrian Frater, News Editor

Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt, parents of Usain Bolt.

Western Bureau:

If a father's faith was enough to guarantee two gold medals, 100-metre world-record holder Usain Bolt would have had no need to make the trip to Beijing, China, for the 2008 Olympic Games.

"I have absolutely no doubt that he is going to win the 100m and 200m gold medals," said Wellesley Bolt, the star athlete's supremely confident dad. "He promised me he is going to win both races and I fully expect him to keep his promise."

In fact, the senior Bolt would not be surprised if his son wins three gold medals instead of two as, according to him, Usain also promised him that, once the 4x100m relay team can get the stick (baton) around the track safely, he should also look out for the gold medal in that race.

"Once he says he is going to do something, I expect him to do it," the world-record holder's father said.

When Usain starts his bid for glory at the Olympic Games, seated among the fans watching him grace the track will be his number one fan - his mother, Jennifer Bolt.

Usain's mother, who has been paying close attention to his development from his primary school days at Waldesia All-Age School through to his exploits representing William Knibb High School at the annual Boys Championship, will be leaving for Beijing on Thursday to watch him compete at the highest level.

"I want to be right there in China cheering him along," she said.

Seeing her son going to China as a big favourite to win two gold medals, amounts to a kind of vindication for Mrs Bolt who, two years ago, had to step out publicly to defend her son after cruel remarks began to circulate about his commitment to athletics when he was sidelined by injury.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com