The "publicity blitz" around Usain Bolt's proposed trial at the Central Coast Mariners "could cost" the A-League club "the opportunity to cash in on the Jamaican sprint star's switch to football," according to Vince Rugari of the AAP. Clubs from around the world have been "alerted to the potential riches" on offer by signing Bolt, with the Mariners now "facing a battle just to get their mooted six-week trial over the line." Teams in Turkey, Hungary and the U.S. are "among those to have entered the race for the eight-time Olympic champion." Some of them are "keen" to offer Bolt a contract "straight away, rather than put him through his paces first as the Mariners intend to do." Central Coast CEO Shaun Mielekamp is "set to fly to London this weekend in an attempt to seal the deal" with Bolt, his long-time agent Ricky Simms and Australian intermediary Tony Rallis, who "first floated the 31-year-old's availability" to A-League clubs. Simms said that the Mariners were "only one of a number of options on the table for Bolt" (AAP, 7/19). In Sydney, Jamie Pandaram reported Bolt is determined to "legitimately earn a spot" in the A-League by training for six weeks with no guarantee of a contract, his friend John Steffensen said. Steffensen "has been a close friend to Bolt for years" and is "part of his off-field team as the Jamaican star embarks on his bid" to play professional football. Steffensen: "This is not a publicity stunt from Usain. He genuinely has a dream to play football, but he wants to earn it the right way. He wants to respect the sport of football, and all of the players past and present. He wants to play in Australia, he loves this country, but he wants to do it on merit" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/19).
