Bolt fumes over drug test notice

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail SHINE, October 16, 2018
Adjust font size:
Usain Bolt (C), former Olympic and World champion sprinter, takes part in a training session with A-League team Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia, Aug. 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhu Hongye)

Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he's stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.


The 100-meter world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia's Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.


"So guys I've retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this," Bolt said yesterday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice.


The demand for the out of competition test — to collect urine and blood — appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.


"How am I going to get a drug test today? I'm not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously," said Bolt.


"So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I getting drug tested when I haven't signed for a club yet?' and she said they told her I'm an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then."


Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.


Its legislation defines an athlete as a "person who competes in sport" if "the sport has an anti-doping policy."


The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer.


He made his case on Friday by scoring two goals for the Mariners in a preseason friendly.


Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter