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A new world

‘These children are our future,’ says Usain Bolt after inviting favela kids to training base

By Rio 2016

Jamaican sprint star allows special guests to enter closed off centre where he is preparing to defend his three Olympic titles

‘These children are our future,’ says Usain Bolt after inviting favela kids to training base

Bolt leads his young fans in doing the lightning bolt (Photo: Facebook)

Access to Usain Bolt has been scarce for the media desperate to speak with arguably the biggest star of the Rio 2016 Games as he prepares to defend his three Olympic titles. However, a group of children from underprivileged communitites surrounding the Jamaican track and field team's training base were invited to meet the reigning 100m, 200m and 4x100m champion on Tuesday (2 August) morning.

In a post on his Facebook page, Bolt shared a photo of him doing his trademark lightning bolt pose with dozens of kids from favela communities located close to the Navy Physical Education Centre in the Penha neighbourhood, which the Jamaicans are using as their pre-Games training base.

“They say these children are from the most dangerous communities (favelas) here in Rio. They are our future and I'm very happy I got to meet them,” Bolt wrote.

Usain Bolt keeps it simple as he prepares to make history at Rio 2016

The main man has landed: Usain Bolt touches down in Rio ahead of Olympic Games

Bolt and the rest of the Jamaican team are expected to move into the Olympic Village on Wednesday (3 August), two days before the opening ceremony at the Maracanã.

Bolt's bid to retain the three titles he won at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games will begin on 13 August with the 100m heats.

Usain Bolt gets dressed up in Rio 2016 colours

Get your tickets to see Usain Bolt at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games