Usain Bolt to retire after the 2017 World Championships
Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt has confirmed that he is going to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London, and also informed that the Racers Grand Prix later this year will be his last race on Jamaican soil. Arguably the most successful athlete of all time, Bolt has been in great form in the past few months having won three consecutive Gold medals at the Rio Olympics in the 100m, 200m and 4*100m events.
As per the reports of Jamaican Television show Smile Jamaica, the sprinter said, "The Racers Grand Prix will be my last race in Jamaica people, it will be the last time I run in Jamaica.” A world record holder in both the 100m and 200m categories much was said about how he would fare at the Rio Olympics but Bolt lived up to expectations and showed why he is the best sprinter in the world.
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Speculation about his retirement began soon after the Olympics concluded and questions were asked whether he would feature in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but yesterday’s statement made it clear that the Jamaican great is calling it a day. "Yes I am definitely going to retire after the world championships in London, that will be my last one," said Bolt regarding his last race.
The 2017 World Championships will be concluding on August 13 and it is expected that Usain Bolt will be a part of both the 100m and 200m events. Meanwhile, the Racers Grand Prix will take place in June next year, which is going to be his last race on home soil.
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The fastest man ever
The 30-year old has won 9 Olympic Gold medals across three games over the span 8 years and is widely regarded as the “fastest human ever timed.” A winner of 11 World Championships, an energetic Bolt said, “I'm now a legend. I'm also the greatest athlete to live,” after winning the 100m sprint at the 2012 London Olympics.
Bolt’s first love was cricket, having wanted to be a fast bowler and idolised Pakistani legend Waqar Younis. Sachin Tendulkar and country mate Chris Gayle are the other cricketers he admired. The entire world would miss such an icon after his retirement, which is going to be a memorable “Jamaican Farewell.”