Bolt announces retirement plans

Usain Bolt has announced he will retire from athletics in the world championships in London in two years time.

The world’s fastest man has announced he will put off retirement by a year and step down from competitive sport at the 2017 world championships.

It was thought the Jamaican superstar would retire at the Olympics in Rio next year. But the six times Olympic champion will defend his 100m title in London and then say goodbye to the sport he has dominated for the past six years.

The 28-year-old says that he will just focus on the 100m in 2017 after a career which has seen him win gold in eight world championship events, one commonwealth and six Olympic distances. He also holds the world record for 100m and 200m.

Bolt had previously suggested that the Rio Games in 2016 would be his last major championship but he now appears to have changed his mind to make a return to London after starring in the 2012 Olympics.

He said: “That was the initial plan but my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year; to 2017 and London.

“But I’ll be doing one event, the 100m. I’ve already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note.”

Bolt’s main focus for 2015 will be the World Championships in Beijing in August.  He added: “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

“I live for competition. I thrive on competition. I live to compete against the best.”