Jamaica's 28-year-old six-time Olympic gold medallist has speculated on numerous occasions about when he will be able to "put his feet up", and he has said in the past that the Rio 2016 Olympics were his final target.

But now he has confirmed that he will end his illustrious career on the same track where he retained the Olympic 100 and 200m titles he won in bursting to the top of his sport at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Bolt, who will seek to add to his total of eight world golds at this summer's World Championships in Beijing, told the Daily Mail: "That was the initial plan [to sign off after Rio]. But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year; to 2017 and London.

"But I'll be doing one event, the 100. I've already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note."


Usain Bolt wins the 100m at the London 2012 Olympics on the track where he now says he will finish his career at the 2017 World Championships ©Getty Images

Bolt also indicated he had not ruled out improving his world 100m record of 9.58sec, set in winning his first world title in Berlin in 2009.

"If everything goes well this season...in my life anything is possible," he said.

If I can get myself into good shape it should be wonderful this season.

"I live for competition.

"I thrive on competition.

"I live to compete against the best. It means a lot when you beat the best.

"I remember when I won in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics, people were saying Tyson [Gay] wasn't there.

"So for me the World Championship the following year, when everyone was there, that was good."

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