Usain to provide a Bolt of inspiration for SA fans

Local sports fans will have a rare opportunity to meet the world’s fastest man next week, with retired sprint legend Usain Bolt set to make an appearance on South African soil.

The Jamaican star, who retired from international athletics after last year’s World Championships, would attend a school track meeting in Roodepoort, Athletics South Africa revealed on Monday.

Before the Puma School of Speed meeting, starting at 5.30pm on January 29 at Ruimsig Stadium, Bolt would be on the track to “greet fans”, the federation confirmed.

Tickets would be available at the gate for R50, and children in school uniform would receive free entry.

The 31-year-old Bolt brought an end to a spectacular career last season, which included eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world senior titles.

Widely considered one of the best track and field athletes in history, he hung up his spikes as a triple world record holder.

He clocked 9.58 seconds over 100m and 19.19 over 200m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, shattering his own global marks over both distances.

The lanky speedster also formed part of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team which set the world record of 36.84 at the 2012 London Olympics.

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