Jamaican world-record holder Usain Bolt has said he will have a trial with Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, in March, which would determine his future as a professional footballer after retiring from athletics.
Bolt, 31, won eight Olympic gold medals in track and field throughout his illustrious career as a sprinter, but has long taken interest in the game of soccer and desired a move to Premier League side, Manchester United.
“It makes me nervous. I don’t get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It’ll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I’ll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.
“I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.
“One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund says I’m good enough, I’ll crack on and train hard. I’ve spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready; he will see what he can do.”
Perhaps Bolt’s ties to former United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, could give him an inside track towards an Old Trafford move if his trial in Germany goes well, however, that would be a long shot.
Two-sport athletes
It is not uncommon for an athlete to change sports, with the world’s greatest sprinter remaining hopeful that he can follow in the footsteps of greats like Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan to be the next two-sport athlete.
Vincent Edward “Bo” Jackson
A former baseball and American football player, he is one of the few athletes to be named an All-Star in two major sports, and the only one to do so in both baseball and football.
Can Bartu
He played football for Fenerbahçe, Fiorentina, Venezia and Lazio. He scored 211 goals in 426 matches, played 26 times for Turkish National football team. He also played for Fenerbahçe Basketball Team in his early career and played 6 times for Turkish National Basketball Team.
Luis Enrique Martinez Garcia
The former Barcelona player and Coach completed three Marathons between 2006 and 2008 and also completed Frankfurt Ironman.
Leon McKenzie
He played 40 games in the Premier League for Norwich City and Crystal Palace, scoring 7 goals. Mckenzie currently has a record of 8-0-1 as a professional boxer.
Knut Anders Fostervold
Had a 12-year-long football career, including playing in the Champions League, and also participated in the Cycling Road World Championships in 2006.
Bruce Arena
Played for the United States Men’s National soccer team and also played for the US National Lacrosse team which won the 1974 World Lacrosse Championship and finished runner-up in 1978.
