Olympic champion Usain Bolt is officially a triple threat — he set world records in sprinting, nailed a slam dunk in an NBA All-Star celebrity game, and on Friday, scored his first two goals in a professional soccer match.
Bolt, who holds eight Olympic gold medals in track and field, has pivoted to soccer. He joined Australia's Central Coast Mariners earlier this year, and has had quite the successful start. BBC reports that the Mariners topped Macarthur South West United 4-0 in a preseason match. Bolt scored twice: in the 57th minute and the 68th minute.
"My first start and scoring two goals, it's a good feeling," he said, pointing to his "hard work" in training for the season. "I'm here to prove to the world, as I said, that I can be a footballer," the Jamaican athlete said.
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.
He celebrated his first goal with his signature "To Di World" pose, pointing toward the sky, reports NBC Sports. He pulled out a Fortnite dance to celebrate his second goal, emulating the triumphant moves in the popular video game.
Bolt is not yet officially signed to the team, but he said his strong performance on Friday might help his odds of getting on the regular season roster. He's played two other preseason games, subbing in for just 20 minutes in the first match, and playing the second half of the next one. "I've been improving quickly," he said. Until he signs, he's not ready to be called "Usain Bolt, the soccer player." Bolt said he wanted to wait and see whether Friday's game secured him a spot on the team. "Until then," he said, "I'm still just normal Usain." Watch his goals below, via Soccer AM. Summer Meza
-
The 8 best dark comedies of the 21st centuryFrom Santa Claus to suicide terrorism, these movies skewered big, taboo subjects
-
France’s ‘red hands’ trial highlights alleged Russian disruption operationsUNDER THE RADAR Attacks on religious and cultural institutions around France have authorities worried about Moscow’s effort to sow chaos in one of Europe’s political centers
-
Crossword: October 30, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
FBI nabs dozens in alleged NBA gambling ringSpeed Read Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among 34 people indicted in connection with federal gambling investigations
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or elseSpeed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA FinalsSpeed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead playersspeed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey finalSpeed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIXspeed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess championSpeed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fansSpeed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
