Usain Bolt unveiled as ICC T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador

Usain Bolt was announced as the brand ambassador of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the ICC announced on April 24 (Wednesday). Bolt, an eight-time Olympic Gold medalist who grew up playing cricket in Jamaica, believes USA co-hosting the marquee event will go a long way in successfully reinducting the sport in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

"I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” Bolt said.

"Coming from the Caribbean where Cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart, and I am honoured to be part of such a prestigious tournament.

"I look forward to bringing my energy and enthusiasm to the World Cup and contributing to the growth of cricket globally."

Bolt also believes cricket will thrive in the American market. "America believes a lot in sport and high intensity and for me to get into that market is big,” Bolt said.

"When they follow a sport, they follow a sport properly and they go all in and I feel like if they can crack into it, they will get into it the right way  If we bring energy like I know we will for the T20 [World Cup] it is going to be wonderful."

Cricket has not made an appearance in the Olympics since 1900, but Bolt expects a seamless transition back into the fold in four years' time.

“If you listen to NBA players and the way they talk about winning a gold medal, they have won NBA titles, they have their rings, but they are like 'we went to the Olympics',” Bolt noted.

“The other day, I watched the documentary about how they [USA basketball team] lost [at the 2004 Olympics], and there was a Redeem Team [at the Beijing Games in 2008], and the focus and the hard work [they needed to win].

“That is how big [important] getting a gold medal is. Every sport tries to get into the Olympics because it is such a big thing and it is such a great feeling to be on a podium winning that gold medal.”