‘I can’t believe it happened’ - South Woodford boy describes meeting Usain Bolt
Lizzie Dearden, Reporter
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
2:59 PM
A 16-year-old South Woodford schoolboy volunteering at the Olympics got more than he bargained for when he ended up chatting to Usain Bolt – and going home with a souvenir.
George Hoy, of Charnwood Drive, had been helping at the Olympic Park for two days when he was selected to carry athlete’s boxes during the men’s 200m heats last Tuesday (7).
He said: “They gave us the chance to pick a lane out of a hat and I was lucky enough to get Bolt’s.
“I was on the track and he came up to me and said “what’s up?”. Then he sorted out his blocks and came back.
“He gave me knuckles and then started taking his stuff off. When I told him I liked his hat and he asked if I wanted it.
“He was really friendly, it didn’t seem like he was about to run a race at all.”
George said he is not going to wear the black beanie hat.
“I think I’m going to frame it,” he said.
Since the meeting, which was seen by thousands in the stadium and broadcast around the world, George has become something of a celebrity.
He has appeared on The One Show, BBC London News and Channel 5 News talking about his experience.
He said: “It’s really good, I can’t believe it’s happened to me.
“Before the Olympics, I would have said my idol was one of the middle distance runners but now it has to be Bolt.”
George is an avid runner himself and a member of the Orion Harriers club in Chingford.
He specialises in the 1,500m and cross country and competes for Essex County.
Local advertisers
More news articles
- Chigwell holidaygoer who received ‘fake’ tickets from Barkingside travel agent shares experience on BBC1 show
- Scouts organise Newbury Park litter pick - 20 years after their last clear up
- Redbridge Police visiting mosques and ‘vulnerable’ premises following Woolwich attack
- Community group Barkingside 21 calls on Redbridge councillors to back cleaner air policies
- Redbridge faith leaders appeal for calm and unity after Woolwich terrorist attack
- Changes to Wanstead controlled parking zone welcomed by residents
- Firefighters tackle car fire in High Road, Ilford
- Council paying £26million a year for emergency housing for Redbridge homeless
- School parking making life a misery for angry Chadwell Heath residents
- Police swoop on the homeless taking sleeping bags and food parcels in co-ordinated raids in Redbridge
- Monkhams and Roding wards are ‘understaffed’ but new officers promised
- Schoolgirls ‘tried to stop bleeding’ with first aid on Hainault stabbing victim
- Courageous chef came close to catching Woodford Green robbers who hit jewellers in daytime raid
- Discovery of Legionella bacteria forces closure of Wanstead Youth Centre
- Two crashes cause A406 traffic from Redbridge to Ilford
- “At risk” Woodford Bridge conservation area could be subject to changes
- Man and woman hurt in traffic collision in Chadwell Heath Lane
- Boy, 16, charged with grievous bodily harm after Hainault stabbing
- Around £4,000 of power tools stolen from van in Gants Hill
- Parking restrictions in ‘vibrant’ Woodford shopping area could be reviewed
-
Use our Wedding site to help you plan your big day! - At WeddingSite we know how much you have to organise for your wedding day, that's why we have designed a set of FREE, simple-to-use tools to make the planning process easy & hassle-free. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a date using our online dating and friend finder - You can meet new friends, find romance or simply meet up online with people sharing similar interests and hobbies. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a local business using our online directory search - Need a plumber? Or a florist? Or anything else? Search our business directory to find Ilford businesses in just a few seconds. FIND OUT MORE
-
Family notices from the Ilford Recorder, with readers' tributes - In memoriam, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, best wishes & special days. FIND OUT MORE
Celebrity / Showbiz See all
Picture gallery: Chelsea Flower Show 2013
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens to the public today, but celebrities and VIPs, including the Queen, have already had a look at the floral displays.
- Tom Hiddleston to take lead role in Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus
- Theatre review: Hutch at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
- Kate Winslet hosts fundraiser for homeless charity
- Move over, Leo! There’s a new Gatsby in town
0 comments