I’ll put my critics to shame on football pitch, says Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt has vowed to silence his critics after training with A-League outfit, Central Coast Mariners for the first time yesterday.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is on trial at the Mariners and is bidding to earn a professional contract at the club.

Having previously trained at Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns and Stromsgodset, the Jamaican sprint legend attended his first training session with the Australian club in hope of finally making his dream of transitioning into football a reality.

Bolt took part in a warm-up before undergoing a short passing drill and the 32-year-old, who retired from athletics last year, was pleased with his involvement afterwards.

‘I’m not setting myself any targets,’ said Bolt, who touched down in New South Wales on the weekend. ‘I’m just going to put in the work.

I don’t know what to expect so
I’m just here to push myself, learn as much as possible. For me it’s a blank slate. I’m here to learn and get better, that’s my focus.’

‘Today was good, we’re taking it a step at a time, working on fitness, level by level, day by day,’ he added. ‘As long as you get fit in football it’s relatively easy. That’s how I look at it, I don’t know yet.

‘I’ve seen as long as you are fit it’s relatively easy with the running. As long as I get my body in shape and get some mileage [into my legs] I should be fine.’

In terms of his ability on the pitch, Bolt believes his experience of top-level sport will allow him to stay calm in front of goal.

Most importantly for Bolt, however, who holds the 100-metre world record at 9.58seconds, is that he wants to be viewed as a footballer – not the world’s fastest man.