Mbappe Agrees To Race Usain Bolt

By Gyang Dakwo

Kylian Mbappe has accepted the challenge to face eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt in a 100m race – but the Frenchman does not fancy his chances of coming out on top.

Bolt recently suggested during a recent interview that Mbappe should line up against him in a charity race. He also spoke about his admiration of the 25-year-old forward, who is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Real Madrid this summer, with Bolt admitting he was “inspired” by Mbappe.

Speaking at a promotional event, co-organised by Nike and his foundation, ‘Inspired by KM’, Mbappe responded to the challenge of Bolt in an interview. The former Monaco striker started by stating that it was “gratifying” that he inspired the Jamaican, who made a brief foray into football after retiring from athletics.

As quoted by RMC Sport, Mbappe said: “He inspired everyone too and I think that everyone has woken up late in the night to watch one of Usain Bolt’s races. I can say that it’s reciprocal and that I started to admire him first.”

The French forward then agreed to Bolt’s 100m sprint, but claimed he does not think he will come out on top, despite it being seven years since the former Olympian retired. “It would be fun, why not one day if we both have the time, do something nice, I don’t expect much from the result,” Mbappe added.

With a time of 9.58 seconds, Bolt still remains the world record holder of the 100m. He smashed the previous feat during the World Athletics Championship final in Berlin in August 2009. Bolt also holds the record for the second fastest time, with Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake alongside as joint-third.

As for Mbappe, he is often recognised among the fastest footballers in the planet. However, as of October 2023, the France international did not even register in the top 10 quickest players in Ligue 1, with Clermont Foot’s Andy Pelmard topping the charts and Marseille’s Jonathan Clauss coming in second.

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