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Usain Bolt files trademark for his famous lightning bolt celebration

The pose made its first appearance when Bolt won 100m gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Usain Bolt Photo by: Team Jamaica

Eight-time Olympic champion and Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt is hoping to trademark a logo of his famous lightning bolt celebration. Last week, he filed a trademark for the distinctive pose at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

London 2017
Bolt won eight Olympic gold medals across the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay

Bolt submitted an image that depicts his signature lightning bolt pose, where he leans back with one arm bent, and the other pointed toward the sky.

The 100m and 200m world record holder is trademarking the image to monetize the pose on clothing, shoes, jewellery and restaurants.

According to the USPTO, it can take up to 24 months for a trademark to be approved after filing.

The pose made its first appearance when Bolt won 100m gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and by the London 2012 Olympics, the pose was a full-blown fad. This viral move is also known as the “to di world” pose, a popular Jamaican dancehall move before Bolt embraced it.

Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt strikes the lightning bolt pose in Melbourne, Australia

The 36-year-old retired from athletics at the 2017 World Championships in London after finishing third in the 100m behind U.S. sprinters Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman. Bolt still holds the 100m and 200m world records and is often described as the greatest sprinter of all time.

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