Usain Bolt to BVB? 10 sporting converts

10 sport converts

Talk of Usain Bolt potentially playing for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund has been doing the rounds and the club’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that it is “no joke”.

The nine-times Olympic gold medallist is set to train with the Dortmund stars with the possibility of a move on the horizon.

Bolt has spoken several times in the past of his desire to one day play for Manchester United, the team he supports and you never know, a stint with the German outfit could be a stepping stone.

Regardless of what a potential football career would bring, the thought of the Jamaican speedster lining up alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – a rapid individual in his own right – would strike fear into defenders.

But at 30, is Bolt pursuing a dream that could only serve to tarnish his phenomenal reputation?

The sporting world has seen plenty of stars try to transition into different sports, some successfully and others less so.

Here’s a look at ten athletes who switched between sports.

MICHAEL JORDAN

The greatest player to grace a basketball court was a mere mortal on the baseball field. Having retired from basketball in 1993, Michael Jordan signed for Chicago White Sox.

He never made it to the major leagues and returned to basketball in 1995, undoubtedly in an attempt to repair his legacy.

IAN BOTHAM

Renowned as one of the best all-rounders England has ever produced, Botham decided to take his versatility even further. He was signed up by Scunthorpe United while still operating as England cricket captain.

Botham went on to play 11 times in the football league and recounted that he once played Hull City on Boxing Day before getting on a plane and leading England against the West Indies 24 hours later.

REBECCA ROMERO

Only the second woman in history to win a medal in two different sports at the Olympic Games. Starting in rowing, she earned a silver in 2004 before persistent back troubles forced her to consider alternative sports.

Romero took up cycling and in 2008 secured a gold medal in Beijing.

TONI FRITSCH

Fritsch established himself as a striker for Rapid Wien for eight years in Austria’s National Football League. He was also called up to the national team nine times.

In 1971, Dallas Cowboys signed him as a place kicker and was a success, scoring a match-winning field goal on debut setting a new club record of 21 field goals in the following season. He went on to win the Superbowl before featuring for four other NFL teams.

BROCK LESNAR

In 2004, Brock Lesnar put aside his WWE career to pursuit his NFL dream. An untimely motorcycle accident hampered his pre-season. Minnesota Vikings signed him briefly before releasing him less than two months later.

Later, Lesnar made a foray into Mixed Martial Arts where he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship and now he is back in the WWE.

MARION JONES

After being banned from athletics for drug use during the BALCO scandal, Jones turned to basketball, a sport she played at university level.

She featured as point guard for Tulsa Shock in the WNBA for the 2010-11 season, averaging 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

CRAIG KIESWETTER

The former England wicket-keeper suffered a facial injury in 2014 which hampered his vision. Despite returning to the game briefly and even being called up to the national squad, Kieswetter pulled out as he admitted to still struggle with his vision.

He began to pursue golf and took a massive step forward in his quest to becoming a professional golfer with a four-under 66 debut on the MENA Golf Tour in October 2016.

JOHNNIE MORTON

Having put together a respectable NFL career that spanned over 11 years, Morton subjected himself to ridicule when he opted to step into the ring.

Two years after his exit from the American football scene, he made his MMA debut in 2007 against Bernad Ackah. The fight lasted 38 seconds as Morton was defeated with ease. He never fought again.

JERRY RICE

Arguably the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Rice was as gifted with a golf club. A frequent golfer even during his NFL career, Rice’s first competitive venture into the sport came in 2010, taking part in the French Express Classic.

He finished 151st out of 152 players and never played competitively again.

ANDREW FLINTOFF

A top all-rounder for England, Flintoff retired from cricket in 2010. Two years later though, he made his professional boxing debut in which he beat Richard Dawson. It proved to be his only bout.

Which athlete in this list do you think was most successful in their transition?

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