Borussia Dortmund Confirm Multiple-Gold Medallist Usain Bolt Will Train With Club

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that nine-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt will train with the Bundesliga club.

Borussia Dortmund Confirm Multiple-Gold Medallist Usain Bolt Will Train With Club

Watzke told Kicker magazine on Sunday that “it was no joke” and “not a marketing move.”

Dortmund and the 30-year-old Jamaican sprinter are both sponsored by the same Germany-based sporting goods company Puma, whose president contacted Dortmund to state that Bolt had inquired about training with the team.

“We decided this some time ago,” Watzke said. “Puma CEO Bjorn Gulden, who is member of our board, has told us that Usain is highly interested in practicing with us.

“For us that’s no problem. Our coach Thomas Tuchel likes the idea as well. Of course he won’t visit us in an important week with Champions League matches but maybe in the pre-season. We are delighted and take this as an honor.’

Asked if Bolt could potentially have a future in the club, Watzke replied: “We don’t even need to talk about it.”

Bolt has long been a soccer fan, and particularly a fan of Manchester United. He won three gold medals at the Rio Olympics in August, thus completing the unprecedented feat of a third consecutive triple Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He became the subject of several memes and GIFs due to his impressive, world-record-breaking speed and his signature move of pointing toward the sky with both arms raised diagonally. Bolt has previously voiced his wish to play for the Premier League team.

“For me, if I could get to play for Manchester United, that would be like a dream come true,” Bolt said. “Yes, that would be epic.”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the Men’s 100m Final on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)