Canberra, Nov 3 (UNI) Eight-time Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt's trial in Australia-based football club Central Coast Mariners ended on Friday, the club confirmed.
'Efforts to secure a "commercial solution" to keep Bolt at the club had failed, a statement issued by the club said.
"I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead," Bolt said, according to the statement published by the Mariners.
Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth thanked Bolt for his eight-week trial, describing it as a success.
Shaun Mielekamp, the team's CEO, said, 'The decision not to retain Bolt was due to timing, but didn't close the door on bringing him back.'
The Jamaican athlete made the move from his field (athletics) to soccer player this summer, joining the Mariners for an "indefinite training period." Bolt scored two goals for the club last month, a pre-season friendly.
Bolt, who retired from athletics in 2017, has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns and Norway's Stromsgodset.
The Jamaican last participated in the World Athletics Championships men’s 100m final in London in 2017, in which he was beaten by Justin Gatlin of America. Bolt settled for the bronze in the final run of his international career.
The 32-year-old holds the world records in races for 100 meters, at 9.58 seconds, and 200 meters, at 19.19 seconds, both of which he made at the 2009 Berlin World Athletics Championships.
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