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.