Usain Bolt says he will 'have some fun' now his sprinting career is over

Usain Bolt bids farewell to fans after his final major athletics championship

Athletics legend Usain Bolt says his career as a sprinter is definitely over.

The 30-year-old Jamaican took a last lap of honour at the London Stadium on Sunday night before telling the media that he was not having any second thoughts about retirement.

Thousands stayed behind after the final event of the World Championships so they could honour the greatest sprinter of all time.

And Bolt was presented with a section of the track from London 2012, the Olympics at which he won both the 100m and 200m, a feat he matched in 2008 and 2016.

Montages of his most famous moments played on the big screen before the 30-year-old circled the stadium to unrelenting applause, clapping the fans back in return.

Bolt pulled up during the final leg of the men's 4x100m relay final on Saturday night

He stopped briefly at the 100m and 200m marks and said: "I was saying goodbye to the fans and saying goodbye to my events also.

"These are my two events that I have dominated for years. I was saying goodbye to everything, I almost cried. It was close, but it didn't come.

"It's really sad that I have to walk away now."

There is no chance of a dramatic comeback, however.

"I've seen too many people retire and come back into the sport just to make it worse or to shame themselves," Bolt added

"I won't be one of those people."

Bolt's extraordinary career ended in disappointment, a bronze medal finish in the 100m followed by a dramatic collapse to the ground, caused by hamstring cramp, as he ran the final leg for Jamaica in the 4x100m relay,

He was helped to his feet and limped across the line but his legacy is not likely to be tarnished.

Bolt is helped up by his Jamaica team-mates

"For me I don't think one championship is going to change what I've done," said Bolt.

"I remember after losing the 100m someone said to me, 'Usain, no worries, Muhammad Ali lost his last fight also, so don't be stressed about that'.

"I've proven myself year in, year out, throughout my whole career."

Bolt's genial approach to life has always endeared him to his fans and, asked about his plans, he responded in typical fashion.

"The first thing I'm going to do is have some fun," said the eight-time Olympic gold medal winner.

"Have a party and have a drink. I need to chill."