Usain Bolt, an ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, graced the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York for its inaugural showcase on Wednesday, May 15. The stadium, constructed from scratch for the 2024 T20 World Cup, is eagerly anticipated to host the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on June 9 during the group stage.

Excitement builds for India vs Pakistan clash

Accompanying Bolt were cricketing legends including Curtly Ambrose, Liam Plunkett, and Shoaib Malik, along with USA cricketers Corey Anderson and Monank Patel, both selected for the T20 World Cup squads.

Notable sports personalities from New York and the USA, such as John Starks (NBA / New York Knicks), Elena Delle Donne (WNBA / USA), Bartolo Colon (MLB / New York Yankees-Mets), Victor Cruz (NFL / New York Giants), and Ibtihaj Muhammad (Fencing / USA), also graced the occasion.

“The new stadium is going to be a fantastic…”

Expressing his excitement, Bolt, renowned as the greatest sprinter of all time, lauded New York as one of the host cities for the 2024 T20 World Cup. He anticipated an electrifying atmosphere during the games, making the venue a vibrant hub for cricket enthusiasts.

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Usain Bolt said, “The new stadium is going to be a fantastic place to watch from. It’s very enclosed and you feel very close to the action. I can imagine it will be full of energy when cricket fans get to Nassau County International Stadium next month.”

Usain Bolt, the legendary sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medalist was recently announced as an ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, marking a significant moment for both cricket and athletics.

Bolt’s Background and Connection to Cricket

Born and raised in the Caribbean island of Jamaica, Bolt’s early sporting endeavors were rooted in cricket. It was only at the urging of his cricket coach in high school that Bolt shifted his focus to track and field events, ultimately embarking on a path that would lead him to become one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

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Bolt’s Role as Ambassador

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Bolt emphasized the special place cricket holds in his heart, given its integral role in Caribbean culture. He eagerly anticipates contributing his energy and enthusiasm to the prestigious T20 World Cup, aiming to bolster the global growth of cricket.

“I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. 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 honored 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 told the ICC recently.

Bolt’s Expectations for the T20 World Cup

Bolt’s excitement for the upcoming tournament extends beyond the cricketing action. He looks forward to the vibrant party atmosphere synonymous with cricket in the Caribbean and expresses optimism about cricket’s potential to make a lasting impact in the American market.

Bolt added, “America believes a lot in sport and high intensity and for me to get into that market is big,” Bolt suggested. 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’s Return to the Olympics

As cricket prepares to return to the Summer Olympics in 2028, Bolt reflects on the event’s significance. Drawing parallels with the reverence NBA players hold for Olympic gold, Bolt highlights the unparalleled honor and prestige of winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

“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’. 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,” Bolt noted.