KINGSTON, December 15   Just over four months since Usain Bolt lost his first race in two years at the August 6 Stockholm meet, his popularity has not waned- well certainly not on Facebook. His facebook statistics is showing an additional 930,000 fans since that time.

Bolt’s numbers on facebook has shown a 45 per cent increase taking it to 2,996,814 fans. The breakdown of fans shows that at least 950,000 fans log on each month with just about 250,000 on average each week.

Bolt’s philanthropic contributions to the completion of the Sherwood Content Health Centre and his visits to his community reported top figures in early December with an average of 1.2 million hits per story; while the other major stories with record impressions of over one million came from the serialization of his illustrated autobiography – My Story: 9.58. The serialization was carried by the Jamaica Observer.

Another astounding fact on Facebook is that 75 per cent of the users are male while the remainder is female. Of the total fans - 41 per cent is in the 13 – 17 age group while 39 per cent are in the 18 – 24 age group. The third most popular group is 25 – 34 totaling 12 per cent.

The top countries are UK, USA, France, Italy, Canada and Chile.

Bolt launched his book in London in September and in Jamaica in October. The attraction Usain Bolt Tracks and Records is set to open first quarter of 2011 in Kingston.

The World and Olympic champion for the 100 and 200 metres is currently training in Kingston and is “in pretty good shape” as he prepares for the 2011 World Championship, scheduled for Daegu, South Korea and the rest of the track and field season.

Usain unveling the sign with the list of contributors for the upgrade and refurbishing of the Sherwood Content Health Centre.

Bolt with the acting principal of William Knibb and head of the PE department on his recent visit

Usain unveling the sign with the list of contributors for the upgrade and refurbishing of the Sherwood Content Health Centre.

Usain Bolt (centre) talks to acting principal Webster Thompson (right) and Phillip Gore, partners for the renovation of the school's canteen. Usain graduated from the William Knibb High School in 2003.

Usain has also combined with Gore Homes to refurbish, fix and upgrade the canteen facility at his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High School. Work on that project will get underway in Janauary 2011. The school celebrates its 50th anniversary next year. Usain left William Knibb in 2003.

He then went over to his basic school. Piedmont, where his contributions have made it possible for the school to have electricity. The premises were totally re-wired and now has its own metre.

The Sherwood Content Health Centre was the final stop for the day where proceeds from the 9.58 SuperParty, which was held last year, went into upgrade and refurbishing of the type one facility. The property which is owned by the National Peoples Cooperative Bank was leased to the Ministry of Health and Usain's other partners joined in to assist.

Usain's extraordinary performance on the track has earned him several sport-related awards highlighting the fact that he has positively impacted on track and field over the last two years. He has continued the rich Jamaican tradition of excellence in sport pioneered by Herb McKenley, Don Quarrie, Merlene Ottey and so many others.

Usain and the current set of athletes have caused the eyes of the world to be staring at Jamaica and they ask "Why do Jamaicans run so fast?" When we find out, we won't tell you (smile)

Back to the Face of Travel Award....award for the icon who has contributed significantly to travel and tourism in 2010; this is a BIG thing and should be celebrated. When this lanky (not so lanky anymore) Jamaican track and field star beats out fellow sport stasr David Beckham & Rafael Nadal along with Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger; Hollywood elites, Kevin Costner and Kevin Spacey & Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickenson...I just think it is a BIG deal.

David Beckham earned appreciation for boosting his country’s tourism profile as he served as ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid. The tennis ace Rafael Nadal is also among the favorites to win the “Face of Travel” award as he actively supported a sport tourism campaign in his native Balearic Islands. Last year, he had won  the title "World Tennis Player of the Year" at the World Sports Awards. Usain Bolt was featured in the Jamaica Tourist Board's campaign - Once you go, you know.

This therefore says Brand Jamaica is STRONGER than ever and Usain's impact is showing his diversity as a BRAND himself. What is also amazing, is Usain's season was cut short because of an injury but he remained in the news with the launch of his illustrated autobiography in September.

Bolt has received a set of awards, not directly realted to sport including being listed in Ebony's 65th anniversary edition as one of the best athletes in 65 years. The other Caribbean athlete is Sir Vivian Richards. He was also listed for Essence as Eye Candy - Hotties under 30; while askmen.com profiled him as the second most popular male figure beating US President, Barack Obama.

Usain in the off-season has added 30 per cent more fans to his facebook page totalling now over 2.5 million fans and pulls a crowd wherever he goes. His exploits on and off the track serve up a balanced meal with all the elements involved, not without some distractions, which are manageable.

We salute Usain and look forward to Daegu 2011 and London 2012.

More time

It's about a skinny kid from the parish of Trelawny, where they harvest the best yams in the world. It's about growing up playing cricket and football in the warm Jamaican sun, then discovering that he could run fast, very fast. It's about family, friends and the laid-back Jamaican culture. It's about Auntie Lillian's pork and dumplings and Dad's grocery store in the sleepy village of Sherwood Content.

It's about what makes him tick, where he gets his motivation and where he takes his inspiration. It's about the highs and the lows, the dedication and sacrifices required to get to the top. It's about fast food, partying, dancehall music, fast cars and that lightning bolt pose. It's about radiating sport's biggest smile.

This is the story of the fastest man on the planet.

Published by Harper Collins UK - 20 pounds (HB)