Bolt invites favela kids to Rio base

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 3 (IANS) Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt took time off his Olympic training schedule to invite a group of underprivileged children to his team's Rio training base.

The visit only became public when Bolt posted a photo on Facebook on Tuesday in which he and dozens of children struck the sprinter's trademark lightning bolt pose at the Navy Physical Education Centre in Rio's north, reports Xinhua.

"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.

According to Rio2016.com, the children were from nearby favela communities.

Bolt has kept a low profile since arriving in Rio last Wednesday. The 29-year-old is aiming to repeat his 100 metre, 200m and 4x100m victories at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games.

He suffered an injury scare at the Jamaican Olympic trials last month before winning the 200m at the Anniversary Games in London.

The Rio Games will run from August 5 to 21. The final of Bolt's pet event, the 100m sprint, will be held on August 14.