Usain Bolt might try soccer after track

How would the world’s fastest man do in soccer? We may find out one day, because Usain Bolt, the men’s 100-meter champion at the London Olympics, said Wednesday that he might try his hand at it when he retires from track.

“I have said I wanted to try football,” said Bolt, the world-record-holder at both 100 and 200 meters. “I always wanted to try to play soccer. Maybe at the end of my career. It would be something that I would love to try.

“I watch it on TV and see these guys play. I play it all the time with my friends. I played childhood matches in Jamaica and I did well. I think it is something I would like to try to do.”

Two days after saying he would like to defend his 100- and 200-meter titles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the 26-year-old Bolt said he may still branch out to other track events.

“To find something else to strive toward,” he said. “I could always try the 400 meters — which I don’t want to do. I could try to run faster over both my events. I could try another event, maybe the long jump or the 400 meters. There are a few things I would like to try in sports that I could work towards. We’ll see what I decide at the start of the season.”

After becoming the first man to defend both 100- and 200-meter titles at the Olympics, Bolt said his accomplishment hit him once he returned home to Jamaica.

“It’s a great thing to achieve a goal you always wanted,” Bolt said. “For me it was an honor. I have worked hard to become a legend. For me to go home after the races, sit down, and reflect on what just happened, it was emotional.

“It’s a wonderful steppingstone in my life to be a legend in my sport.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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