Usain Bolt is known as one of the greatest sprinters in the world. Between all the press appearances, TV adverts, domestic duties, the infamous pose, and enjoying a bit of nightlife, he’s a busy guy.
So, obviously, he needs a body double to fit it all in.
Hassan Reece, a model and adjudicator for the Financial Ombudsman Service, has been going to wardrobe fittings, photoshoots, advertisement shoots as Usain’s understudy.
The 36-year-old from South London, has acted as shadow to the former sprinter for eight years, and takes care od some of the tedious bits that come with being a celebrity.
And get this – the wax figure of Usain Bolt at Madame Tussaud’s is actually based on Hassan’s body, with Usain’s head transposed on top.
Usually, when Usain is too busy to commit to shoots, worried about getting injured, or just feeling a bit lethargic, Hassan steps in.
As is naturally required of the role, Hassan shares quite a few similarities with Usain; both have Jamaican heritage (Hassan is also part Ghanian), both are in their 30s (Usain is 33), and both are above six feet tall – Usain is an inch taller.
And yes, the role requires some sprinting.
The first time Hussain doubled for Usain was during the London 2012 Olympics when he went to a casting for a Visa advert.
The advert was a success, and ever since, Hassan has been Usain’s main stand-in, travelling to beautiful locations like Barcelona for work.
Along the way, he’s even become friends with Cristiano Ronaldo’s double.
On top of working full-time at his main job, Hassan has had to spend time studying Usain to really nail his look.
‘I was told about the Visa casting about one week in advance,’ Hassan tells Metro.co.uk.
‘Every day leading up to the casting, after returning home from my nine-to-five job, I watched Youtube clips of Usain’s races for hours in order to learn his mannerisms, his walk, his arm movement when he runs – everything.
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‘The casting which featured dozens of 6’4 and 6’6 potential body doubles was held at an athletics track in London.
‘One by one, we all had to act like Usain would do just before a race, waving to the crowd, dancing, winking, etc.’
And then they heard ‘on your marks, get set, go’ at which point they had to run a 100m race, arms moving, chest out before crossing the finish line, celebrating victory in the way only Usain would do (cue lightning pose).
A week later, Hassan got the job.
Hassan is usually called to body double for Usain due to time restraints, or to avoid extra running and potential injury before major races.
Sometimes Usain isn’t present during adverts at all, so Hassan’s hands, legs, arms, torso, and back are used.
Hassan is also used as a fittings model for Usain prior to filming TV commercials or shooting billboards.
Camera heights and shoot angles also need to be perfected, which can take time.
After set-up is complete, Usain will arrive, step into marked positions and quickly finish the rest of the shoot.
Pictures of Hassan wearing potential outfits are also emailed to Usain’s management team to decide which outfits will be best for him to use on the day.
It’s a pretty sweet gig, says Hassan: ‘I like to keep in shape myself so performing the role feels like I’m doing my exercise.
‘It’s an amazing job to have. It’s given me the chance to visit different countries and cities that I would never have otherwise.
‘I’ve been given a lot of free clothes which is also another nice perk.
‘I’ve also met Usain on numerous occasions, he’s very chilled out and likes to have fun, just as we all know him. I work in finance four days a week so being able to do such a random job is so different and a big break from the norm.’
Filtering in and out of locations where Usain is spotted and having a similar build, has often resulted in people mistaking Hassan for the main man.
‘This definitely was the case when I was body-doubling for Usain during the filming of a TV advert for Puma in Barcelona,’ Hassan explains.
‘There was a big crew with a few trailers, lots of security, production vans and the whole road, a residential area was blocked off.
‘I was being filmed, running up and down the road. A lot of the locals came out of their houses to watch and see what was happening. I remember being referred to as Usain by a few of them.
‘Admittedly, I just went along with it!’
But then Usain walked in and Hassan’s fame was shortlived.
Some younger children were none the wiser, though.
‘I could hear a group of young and excited local children gathering close to the trailer,’ he says.
‘The children were so young that they probably had no idea who Usain Bolt was. I remember walking out and seeing their excitement.
‘It was nice to join in their excitement for a few minutes, seeing them all smiling. We took selfies, I gave them high fives and fist pumps, just like Usain would have.’
Hassan counts himself lucky to have a double life which leads him to exciting opportunities.
But he doesn’t like to brag, and often keeps his unique occupation to himself when meeting new people.
He says: ‘Telling people about this can be a good ice-breaker during conversations but it needs to be said at the right time as you can imagine.
‘Occasionally Usain Bolt’s name will come up in random conversation and sometimes I keep silent – and give myself a wry smile.’
Hassan who is represented by W Models also has his own agency DAM – Dedicated and Male.
Do you have an unusual side hustle? Email us to tell us more at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/23/what-its-like-to-be-usain-bolts-body-double-12109470/
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