1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Bolt to hang up spikes in 2017

February 14, 2015

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has revealed that he will retire from athletics after the 2017 World Championships in London, according to an interview with a British newspaper.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Ebmw
Leichtathletik WM in Moskau 2013 Usain Bolt
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, has revealed in an interview with a British newspaper that he will be retiring from athletics after the 2017 World Championships in London.

The six-time Olympic champion looked set to retire after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but recently revealed he will be continuing for another year - but only in the 100 metres.

"That was the initial plan (to retire in 2016)," he told British newspaper, Daily Mail. "But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London. But I'll be doing one event, the 100. I've already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note."

His 2015 season culminates at the World Championships in Beijing (August 22nd - 30th) where he will attempt to add to his eight world golds and beat the 100 meters record (9.58 seconds) he set in Berlin back in 2009.

"I live for competition. I thrive on competition. I live to compete against the best. It means a lot when you beat the best. If everything goes well this season... in my life anything is possible. If I can get myself in good shape, it should be wonderful this season," said Bolt in his interview.

Bolt also currently holds the world records for the 200 meters (19.19 seconds) and the 4x100 meters relay (36.84 seconds).

jh/rd (Reuters, AFP)