World’s fastest man is feeling the strain

– Sprint superstar Usain Bolt (right) admitted yesterday he was struggling with the tempo of professional football but is working hard to raise his fitness levels ahead of his first trial match this week.

The eight-time Olympic champion has been given an opportunity by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners to fulfil his dream of a football career and has stepped up his training regime since hooking up with the club last week.

He was put through his paces with the rest of the squad at a more intensive session at the team’s base in Gosford, 75km north of Sydney, yesterday.

After some warming up and a jog around the pitch, he took part

Godford

in ball drills and while his passing was fine, he was slow to get the hang of the movement required.

The 32-year-old’s lack of football fitness was also evident and he appeared to tire quickly.

Bolt admitted to struggling with the constant stop-start of football, more used to a quick fire sprint on the athletics track before winding down.

“The most challenging thing for me is the stop and go because I’m not used to picking up speed, going back down, then back again,” he said.

They have a pre-season friendly on Friday against an amateur side and Bolt is expected to get his first taste of a competitive game, but only as a substitute. –