- World record holder wants charity race
- France international up for the test
- Doubts he has pace to emerge victorious
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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Track icon Bolt, who has eight Olympic gold medals to his name, recently suggested that World Cup winner Mbappe should should line up against him in a charity race. He has also spoken of his admiration for the France international, who is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid this summer.
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Mbappe has responded to those claims by saying at the ‘Victory Mode’ event organised by his foundation Inspired By KM and Nike: “Knowing that I inspire someone like that is really gratifying. I think he inspired everyone a little bit too and every one of you in this room has gotten up in the middle of the night to watch one of his races. It’s mutual! But I started admiring him first.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Responding to Bolt’s 100m challenge, with the Jamaican saying that Mbappe would definitely lose, the 25-year-old forward added: “[I have] no chance, I think so too!” Bolt remains the 100m world record holder, with a time of 9.58 seconds, while Mbappe has been clocked at a theoretical 10.9 seconds.
WHAT NEXT?
Bolt retired from athletics in 2017 and has tried his hand at football since then, spending time with Australian side the Central Coast Mariners. He is now 37 years of age, but would still expect to have enough left in the tank to beat Mbappe if they do see an exhibition race lined up.
