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Olympic and world champion Bolt opens the academic year in Thessaloniki

12 September 2009 / 11:09:01  GRReporter
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Jamaican runner Hussein Bolt, the biggest celebrity in world athletics, triple world champion, world record holder and triple Olympic champion is currently in Greece to take part in the IAF world cup final in Thessaloniki on Saturday and Sunday. The fastest man on earth is expected to participate in the 100 meters event today, Saturday, September 12 at 5:30 pm and the 200 meters event tomorrow, Sunday, September 13 at 8:25 pm. Prize money for the world cup is around €3 million. Bolt was greeted warmly by a group of supporters upon his arrival at the Macedonia airport at 2:00 pm on Thursday. Despite security's efforts to take the champion to the VIP lounge of the airport, Bolt decided to spend some time and please the crowd by signing and giving away hats with this name on. Also, Bolt was kind enough to take pictures with a number of infants, which their parents had brought to the event.

Children were even more pleased, when the world and Olympic champion showed up to open the academic year at the 5th lyceum in Thessaloniki. Over 1000 kids applauded the acknowledged runner who became very emotional as a result. After giving away autographs and hats for much longer than scheduled, Hussein Bolt made a quick demonstration of how he prepares for races, and even raced some of the children in a 50 meter sprint. Before crossing the finish line, the athlete took one of the kids in his hands, and crossed the line together with him.

"I was really moved by the attention and love shown to me since the first second of my landing in Thessaloniki. Greece is a magnificent country and Thessaloniki is a wonderful city. I was also very pleased to hear that the stadium is expected to be full tomorrow. I promise to give all my best to achieve a new record". The Jamaican runner visited one of his sponsors' shops in Thessaloniki, only to encounter another group of supporters. With his typical easy going style, Bolt gave away more autographs and allowed every other child around to take a picture with him. The athlete is scheduled to leave Greece on Monday morning.

23 year old Hussein Bolt is Olympic and world champion in 100 and 200 meters running, and together with his Jamaican teammates will participate in the 4x100 relay event. He is the first athlete since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win three medals in three different Olympic events. In 2009, Bolt became the first ever athlete to hold a number of world and Olympic records.

Tags: NewsSport
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