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SYDNEY. — Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he’s stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.
The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.
“So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this,” Bolt said yesterday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice. The demand for the out of competition test — to collect urine and blood — appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.
“How am I going to get a drug test today? I’m not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously,” said Bolt.
“So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I getting drug tested when I haven’t signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I’m an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then.” Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.
Their legislation defines an athlete as a “person who competes in sport” if “the sport has an anti-doping policy”. The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer. — AFP.
Online Reporter