RICKY, PATSY McGONAGLE AND THE FASTEST MAN ON EARTH AT THE LONDON OLYMPICS. Donegaldaily.com
MILFORD man Ricky Simms has promised that he will bring Usain Bolt to Donegal – but it might be next year.
The athletics sports management consultant was appearing on the Late Late Show on Friday night.
And the Finn Valley AC member was asked if the fastest man on the planet would visit the county.
“He’s always asking me about it,” said Ricky.
“We will have to wait and see; we have to find a free weekend but it will be some time this year, or maybe next year but he does want to come over.”
Simms has managed Bolt since he was 15 the Jamaican won the 200m World Junior Championship title for Under-2os in 2002.
“After graduating from high school, Jamaican athletes traditionally go to university in the United States and spend four years there before they turn professional,” says Simms, who has just agreed a deal for Bolt to compete in the Anniversary Games in London in July.
“But Usain didn’t want to do that. He liked Jamaica, was close to his mum and couldn’t face living away in a cold city – he doesn’t like the cold so much.
“He decided he was going to turn pro in 2003 rather than go to university and it was recommended that he to talk to us.”
The pair quickly hit it off and have had a strong relationship ever since.
“The Irish and Jamaican character is very similar; we’re both laid back and we both like a bit of craic, so we got on,” Ricky told Ryan Tubridy.
He also spoke about bringing Mo Farah home to Donegal for Christmas in 2006.
Mo ran the St Stephen’s Day Finn Valley AC 5k in a new record time.
“It was the first time he’d gotten that sort of great reception. People were asking for his autograph and he posed for pictures with a pint of Guinness. He really enjoyed that,” said Ricky.
