USAIN BOLT made a surprise appearance in a swanky restaurant in Wigan to celebrate Bolton legend Ricardo Gardner’s birthday.
Bolt, 38, is enjoying retirement after his legendary career, which saw him winning eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, after the 2017 World Championships in London.
The sprinting legend, who holds the record for the fastest times on the 100m and 200m events, still has an army of fans and turns heads everywhere he goes.
The Jamaican great proved it during a surprise visit in Wigan’s La Casa Astley restaurant on Wednesday.
The Olympian linked up with his good friend and fellow Jamaican athlete Gardner who was celebrating his 46th birthday.
Bolt posted a photo of them two on social media with the following caption: “Big up me g on him strong @ricardobibigardner love and love alone.”
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La Casa Astley are no strangers to celebrity customers, having previously hosted the likes of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and boxing star Tommy Fury.
And the Italian eatery suggested Bolt is a regular customer as it appears he has also visited at least three times this year alone.
La Casa Astley posted the following: “We’re thrilled to welcome back the legendary Usain Bolt to La Casa!
“Always a pleasure serving the fastest man on earth – where great food meets great company.”
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Restaurant manager Pietro Garrafa admitted there were a lot of surprised faces once Bolt walked through the front door.
Garrafa told the Manchester Evening News: “I just started a week ago, but I know that quite a few celebrities come to us because our food is very authentic.
“I didn’t take the reservation, but I was shocked to see him when he came in.
“Everyone was asking for pictures and he and Ricardo were lovely, there was a family of Bolton fans who were dining there too and Ricardo took a picture and spoke to them.
“Bolt was very kind and we kept the restaurant open until midnight for them, we loved it.”
Bolt’s mate Gardner spent 14 years at Bolton until his retirement in 2012 and amassed a total of 21 goals and 12 assists in 397 appearances.
The former left-back has now crossed over to coaching in his homeland having managed Jamaica’s Under-20s as well as Harbour View and Portmore United.
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
