Usain Bolt to train with Borussia Dortmund
Jamaican sprint king teams up with Bundesliga side – but admits his true longing is for Manchester United
Olympic sprint king Usain Bolt's desire to become a professional footballer is about to come true. The Jamaican track legend is to train with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, it has been revealed.
Bolt announced the news in an interview with The Guardian this weekend. It was subsequently confirmed by the German club.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke denied the move was a marketing ploy, saying it had the backing of coach Thomas Tuchel.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, he was less clear about whether Bolt had a realistic chance of making the first team.
"This is not a joke. This is not a marketing measure," Watzke told Kicker magazine. "Of course he won't visit us during important weeks when we have Champions League matches, but he could in the pre-season. We are delighted and this is an honour for us."
However, says the Guardian: "Dortmund and Bolt are both sponsored by the same Germany-based sports goods company Puma, whose president contacted Dortmund to say that Bolt had asked about training with the team."
Bolt's time with the German team may prove short-lived if he proves to be a success as he made it clear to the Guardian he was a Manchester United fan.
"For me, if I could get to play for Manchester United, that would be like a dream come true. Yes, that would be epic," he said.
At 29, the sprinter is somewhat long in the tooth for an apprentice footballer and would have his work cut out matching his achievements as an Olympian.
Since bursting into the scene at the 2008 Olympics, Bolt has won nine golds, winning the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at Beijing, London and Rio.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 timely cartoons about climate change denial
Cartoons Artists take on textbook trouble, bizarre beliefs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kris Kristofferson: the free-spirited country music star who studied at Oxford
In the Spotlight The songwriter, singer and film-star has died aged 88
By The Week UK Published
-
The Chagos agreement explained
In Depth Ceding the islands to Mauritius could allow China to gain foothold in the Indo-Pacific, experts have warned
By The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?
feature Prevailing mood at Old Trafford was reminiscent of ‘how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign’
By The Week Staff Last updated