Everybody knows the old saying. Lightning never strikes the same place twice. That is, unless the lightning bolt is actually a Usain Bolt.

A legend around the world, and an icon in his home country of Jamaica, Usain Bolt has built his own brand around his incredible athletic performances. He is one of the faces of the sports equipment brand Puma, and appears in advertisements of all types because of his notoriety. His famous victory pose of a lightning strike is known around the world. Bolt first jumped onto the world stage in 2008.

With his electrifying performance in Beijing, Usain Bolt set new world records in both the Men’s 100 and 200 meter dashes. This dominant performance of both contemporary and historical competitors alike earned him the title of “World’s Fastest Man” without question. He then followed his 2008 dominance with another world record at the World Championships in 2009. His world record time of 9.58 seconds for the 100 meters may never be approached for a long time.

Entering London, Bolt was under as much pressure as any athlete in the games. The favorite to win another gold, Bolt could not live up to expectations in Olympic Trials in Jamaica, losing to his countryman Johan Blake in both the 100 and 200 meter races. However, the Olympic stage brings out the best of champions, and London brought out the best of the World’s Fastest Man. Running a time of 9.63 (a new Olympic record, second all time only to his own world record) Usain Bolt became the first man to defend his title in the 100 meters since Carl Lewis in 1988. For perspective, nobody Lewis ran against that year broke the 10-second barrier.

Usain Bolt’s victory at the Olympics was a defining moment of the games because it was so hyped up before the torch was ever lit. The day of the men’s 100 meters final was circled on the calendars of everyone attached to the games, and Bolt did not disappoint. His story may not be the most inspiring, but it is definitely the most electrifying.