Usain Bolt: Sprinter-turned-footballer declares his ‘sports life over’

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Usain Bolt played on trial at Australian side Central Coast
Mariners, scoring on his first start for the club

Eight-time Olympic champion
Usain Bolt has declared his “sports life over”, frustrated in his
bid to begin a post-athletics career in football.

The Jamaican, 32, spent two months training with Australian side
Central Coast Mariners, but left in November after the
club failed to find financial backing for a professional
deal.

“It was fun while it lasted,” said the 100m and 200m world
record holder. “I don’t want to say it wasn’t dealt with properly,
but I think we went about it not the way we should.”

But he added: “You live and you learn. It was a good experience
– I really enjoyed just being in a team.”

In October 2018, Bolt scored two goals on his first
start for the Mariners in a friendly against Macarthur South West,
celebrating with his trademark lightning bolt pose.

The A-League side were not the only team interested in signing
Bolt – he turned down an offer from Maltese club Valletta,
reportedly because the club could not meet his wage demands.

He had also spent time training with Norwegian team Stromsgodset
and German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Bolt, who retired from athletics in 2017, has said his focus now
lies with his various commercial endeavours.

“I’m now moving into different businesses, I have a lot of
things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in
everything and trying to be a business man now.”

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