Usain Bolt has given up hope of becoming a professional footballer.
Bolt has said that his stint with the Central Coast Mariners was “fun while it lasted” but he no longer intends to compete, admitting that “the sports life is over.”
The former Olympic champion spent eight weeks with the Mariners last year, scoring two goals in a trial match against Macarthur South West United, but it was always going to be a big ask for him to prove himself worthy of a professional contract.
Bolt had a truly atrocious debut but seemed to be doing better with the Australian A-League side before he left the Mariners in November.
“I don’t want to say it wasn’t dealt with properly, but I think we went about it, not the way we should and you learn your lesson, you live and you learn,” Bolt said, via ESPN.
Here it is, @usainbolt, the footballer, scores his maiden Mariners goal. What a moment! Don't think limits! ⚡️ #SWSvCCM #CCMFC 🎥@FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/X7zrqmrYCZ
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 12, 2018
“It was a good experience. I really enjoyed just being in a team and it was different from track and field and it was fun while it lasted.”
Bolt, the world record holder at 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay, revealed that he now intends to focus on his business ventures rather than life as an athlete.
He added: “I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so 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.”
