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Usain 'Lightning' Bolt: Best Name Ever?
Sports Business Reporter
![]() |
AP Usain Bolt |
Being the first guy to win Olympic gold in both since Carl Lewis did it in 1984 is a big deal.
But the name "Bolt" is marketing gold.
In fact, he might be the most accomplished athlete to have such a marketable name.
Winning both races with the Bolt name -- gotta love when "Lightning strikes twice" -- probably gives him the title of the most accomplished, most apt named Olympian since Summer Sanders (who is now Summers Sanders Schlopy, believe it or not) won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
But its hard to think of a more apropos name. God Shammgod's play was clearly not immortal; Homer Bush wasn't quite an expert at hitting the ball over the wall; and Michael Stonebreaker didn't really make it as an NFL linebacker.
Off the top of my head, I can only think of one real name (names like Kimbo Slice are not eligible) that is almost as good: Jeff Beukeboom.
How can you not love a hard-hitting NHL defenseman with "-boom" at the end of his name?
By the way, if you've got a better, more marketable real name in sports history, I'm taking your submissions at . The athlete had to have been good to begin with and, like Bolt, the name has to match the reputation.
Questions? Comments?







