10 things you didn't know about Olympian Nesta Carter

Nesta Carter is regarded by many as the backbone of the Jamaican 4x100 metre Olympic sprint team and generally as the team's good-luck mascot. Held in high regard by Jamaicans and those in the know on the international track and field circuit, the former Manchester High student is known for speaking his mind and takes personal pride in representing his country at all levels.

At 28, this Libran is five feet, seven inches tall, and is reputedly an excellent cook, whose speciality dishes are baked chicken and sweet and sour chicken. He currently has his eyes firmly set on competing at the next Olympics, to add to his current list of medals, which includes two gold.

Born in Banana Ground, in Manchester, Carter currently resides in the nation's capital, Kingston, but is a firm believer in giving back to his native parish. In so doing, each year he promotes the Nesta Carter Fun Day in Manchester, with residents of the two boys' homes in that parish invited as his special guests to meet the country's leading track and field celebrities.

Thankful for the opportunity to represent Jamaica internationally, Carter says his world travel has taught him punctuality; respect for others, especially women; and an appreciation for his roots and culture. He is also thankful for his 'brought-upsy' which he says has helped him to understand and appreciate the culture and values of others.

With no immediate plans for retirement, Carter forsees a future in real estate when the time comes to hang up his spikes.

Today, Outlook Magazine, shares 10 things previously not known about double gold-winning Olympian, Nesta Carter.

1. His Christian name 'Nesta' is a corruption of his grandfather's Christian name 'Lester'. The family story is, his grandfather had asked that he be named after him, but between the registrar and the family, Lester became Nesta.

2. He began running by accident. As a child, he would accompany his cousins to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) track and field meet in Manchester to watch them compete. His curiosity got the better of him as he wanted to know if he, too, could run. So he began competing for the SDA church in Manchester.

3. He has been competing for 18 years.

4.He says his all-time favourite dish is curry chicken with basmati (white) rice.

5. Outside of Jamaica, he lists his second favourite country as Italy.

6.He was the starter for three world records.

7.He is family-oriented and thinks sex before marriage is a practical contemporary reality and a solution for many post-marital problems.

8. His first love was technical drawing and he flirted with the idea of becoming a draughtsman.

9. He is a fitness buff who enjoys skeet shooting and maintaining his '8-pack'. He owns three pit bulls and toys with the idea of living in a polygamous state!

10.He takes inspiration from his MVP team-mates and regards his first big race as - 2004 Carifta in Bermuda, where he was adjudged 3rd but credited with the same time as the second-place winner. Usain Bolt was also a competitor and eventually won the race, but Carter remembers Bolt for his camaraderie and role as "elder statesman".

Carter