Sky is the limit for Bolt

Fifa 98's Usain Bolt reacts during an exhibition football match between France's 1998 World Cup's French football national team and FIFA 98 composed with former international players, to mark the 20th anniversary of France's 1998 World Cup victory, on June 12, 2018 at the U Arena in Nanterre, near Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON SYDNEY, Australia — Usain Bolt will be given as long as it takes to prove he deserves a playing contract, the Central Coast Mariners said Wednesday after the Australian club agreed to help the sprint king realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

The 31-year-old eight-time Olympic champion, who retired from athletics last year, is an avid Manchester United fan who has long wanted to play top-flight football.

He has already tried out with teams in Germany, Norway and South Africa, to no avail.

Undeterred, the A-League club had agreed to see what he has to offer with the sprint legend set to arrive at their training ground in Gosford, 75 kilometers north of Sydney, later this month.

“It’s important to note that Usain Bolt comes to the Central Coast Mariners to train for an indefinite period. His training program will be structured to see if he can reach a level of playing that earns him a professional contract,” said Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp.

“This may take three weeks, this may take three months, this may take six months. This may take longer, who knows. Only time will tell.”

“It’s exciting to see what this will do for our region but the importance for us right now is to look after an athlete who’s coming to try and become a professional player.”