- Usain Bolt to race at West Ham United's new home on Friday evening
- Jamaican sprint legend won triple Gold at London 2012 Olympic Games
- Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill will also compete at Muller Anniversary Games
The football-mad Jamaican sprinter, who holds the 100m and 200m world records and won Olympic Gold in London in 2012, will race in the 200m in Stratford.
The self-confessed Manchester United fan returns from a hamstring strain to complete his preparations for the Rio Olympics in the Muller Anniversary Games at the London Stadium – a venue where he has never lost and plans to retire after the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
While West Ham will be seeking three points when they kick-off their Premier League campaign with 90 minutes of action against AFC Bournemouth in E20 on 21 August, Bolt is seeking to complete his evening’s work well within 20 seconds!
“I’m here to win!” Bolt told a packed press conference on Thursday. “I’m good, I’m feeling good and training good and I’m happy with where I am. I’m here to win, as always, so that’s my focus.
“Hopefully everything goes as smoothly as I want it to on Friday – I’m looking forward to it.
“It always gets my juices flowing to race in London. It’s going to be pretty much in front of a Jamaican contingent, so I’m excited because it’s going to be loud and energetic and a lot of fun!”
While Bolt is more famous for his ability to run 100 metres in 9.58 seconds, but he will run the 200 in the Diamond League meeting in London, where he will be joined by Team GB London 2012 heroes Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah and dozens of other world-class track and field stars.
“It’s definitely special to compete in London and I always enjoy it because the crowd is always magnificent and energetic,” he confirmed. “I love the energy of the crowd and it’s something I love competing in front of and I look forward to it every time.”
Inevitably, Bolt was asked about the England football team and their failure at UEFA Euro 2016. As a proud Jamaican, the 29-year-old has little empathy for the Three Lions.
“I’ve got nothing for the England team!” he laughed. “Personally, I’m disappointed in England because you guys have the biggest league in the world and the best footballers but no titles – it’s really sad!”
He had more to say about Jose Mourinho, who has been appointed as manager of his beloved Manchester United – a club he spent time training with and who will visit the London Stadium for the first time in the Premier League on Monday 2 January 2017.
“I haven’t had the call yet, but I know it’s coming, I think he’s waiting until after the Olympics!” he smiled. “I’m happy, because I think we made the right choice because Mourinho is a winner and he works hard to win titles, which is what Manchester United need right now.
“He’s building the squad and I’m looking forward to seeing more big players coming, so I’m excited about that.”
*To accomodate the huge number of fans anticipated on Friday 22 July, the Stadium Store's opening hours have been extended until 7pm. Additionally, the Store will also be open on Saturday 23 July between 9am-5pm.
“Hopefully everything goes as smoothly as I want it to on Friday – I’m looking forward to it.
“It always gets my juices flowing to race in London. It’s going to be pretty much in front of a Jamaican contingent, so I’m excited because it’s going to be loud and energetic and a lot of fun!”
While Bolt is more famous for his ability to run 100 metres in 9.58 seconds, but he will run the 200 in the Diamond League meeting in London, where he will be joined by Team GB London 2012 heroes Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah and dozens of other world-class track and field stars.
“It’s definitely special to compete in London and I always enjoy it because the crowd is always magnificent and energetic,” he confirmed. “I love the energy of the crowd and it’s something I love competing in front of and I look forward to it every time.”
Inevitably, Bolt was asked about the England football team and their failure at UEFA Euro 2016. As a proud Jamaican, the 29-year-old has little empathy for the Three Lions.
“I’ve got nothing for the England team!” he laughed. “Personally, I’m disappointed in England because you guys have the biggest league in the world and the best footballers but no titles – it’s really sad!”
He had more to say about Jose Mourinho, who has been appointed as manager of his beloved Manchester United – a club he spent time training with and who will visit the London Stadium for the first time in the Premier League on Monday 2 January 2017.
“I haven’t had the call yet, but I know it’s coming, I think he’s waiting until after the Olympics!” he smiled. “I’m happy, because I think we made the right choice because Mourinho is a winner and he works hard to win titles, which is what Manchester United need right now.
“He’s building the squad and I’m looking forward to seeing more big players coming, so I’m excited about that.”
*To accomodate the huge number of fans anticipated on Friday 22 July, the Stadium Store's opening hours have been extended until 7pm. Additionally, the Store will also be open on Saturday 23 July between 9am-5pm.