Track king Usain Bolt determined to pursue football dream despite advancing years

The 100m and 200m world record holder and eight-time Olympic champion insists he is serious about his football dream

Reading Time:2 minutes

The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt says he is serious about pursuing a career in soccer. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:02pm, 23 Oct 2017Updated: 10:56pm, 23 Oct 2017

Retired sprint king Usain Bolt has vowed to pursue his dream of playing professional football but admits he will not “embarrass” himself if his goal is out of reach.

The Jamaican track and field superstar, who retired from athletics after August’s World Championships, has long spoken of trying his hand at soccer and has been invited to train with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder and eight-time Olympic champion, insists he is serious about his football dream despite scepticism that at, 31, his advanced age will count against him.

“It’s a personal goal, I don’t care what people really think about it,” Bolt told reporters on the sidelines of the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday.

US Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with Usain Bolt. Photo: AFP

“I am not going to lie to myself, if I feel I can’t do it, I am going to say ‘Forget this’. I am not going to embarrass myself.

“It’s a dream, it’s another chapter of my life that I really want to do. If you have a dream or something you really want to do, you want try to see where it could go.”