AN Olympic volunteer is now the lucky owner of the woolly hat worn by the world's fastest man.

George Hoy, 16, of Charnwood Drive, South Woodford, will treasure the gift he was given by Usain Bolt after meeting him at the Olympics yesterday.

George was given Bolt's lane in the 200m heats to look after, when he randomly picked his name out of a hat before the race.

He said: "It was pure chance I picked him because there were over 90 people competing in the heats. I was over the moon when I realised.

"I was just chatting to him while he was warming up and I mentioned I liked his hat and he said 'do you want it, do you want it?', and I said 'yeah, ok' so he gave me his hat.

"He was so nice, he didn't seem nervous at all, maybe if it was a final he would have been less chatty."

George's mum Martine, 42, said she was extremely proud of her son.

She added: "We couldn't believe it when we saw him on the telly with Bolt.

"The hat does smell a bit, but we won't wash it. I am so proud of him for all the hard work he has done."

George is a keen distance runner and regularly trains with the running club Orion Harriers, in Chingford.

It was through the club and his coach Jane Farrier that he was given the opportunity to volunteer as a Gamesmaker at the Olympics.

He added: "I couldn't have done this without my club and coach.

"Mum wanted me to sell the hat, but I think I'm going to frame it.

"Seeing all the athletes walk past me was just surreal. I'd like to compete in the Olympics one day, but I don't think I'm good enough."

Bolt can always be seen warming up before a race in his team tracksuit and a woolly hat.

The Jamaican runner cruised through to the semi-finals at a time of 20.39 seconds.

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