Prince Harry Beats Olympian Usain Bolt in Race in Jamaica
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Chris Jackson/Getty Images(KINGSTON, Jamaica) — Prince Harry is busy at work on his overseas tour as a royal envoy for his grandmother, the queen, but that hasn’t stopped the 27-year-old royal from having fun.
The prince, who is in Jamaica as part of a 10-day trip to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, faced off against Olympic great Usain Bolt in a friendly 20-meter race.
Sneaking in a false start before Bolt was out of the starting blocks, the prince took off down the track to beat the world’s fastest man.
Bolt, a Jamaican track and field star who holds the world record in the 100-meter sprint, laughed at the prince’s antics and quickly caught up to him down the track.
“He cheated, I said we would have a rematch in London 2012 and Harry said, ‘I’m busy,’” Bolt told the BBC, going on to compliment the prince’s laid-back style. “He’s cool, very down to earth. When you meet dignitaries you think it will be difficult but he just wanted to laugh. It was an honor and a pleasure to meet him.”
Afterward, the duo joked around and posed for photos in Bolt’s signature “to the world” pose. Bolt presented the prince with a T-shirt in the Jamaican national colors that said “‘Harry can Bolt.”
Besides hamming it up with Bolt, the fun-loving prince boogied with locals during a stop in Belize over the weekend and was photographed smiling with Miss Bahamas contestants at an event for young Bahamian leaders.
Harry, who is third in line to the throne, has attended to royal business, meeting with officials and visiting hospitals and charity organizations throughout the trip. He meets with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller later Tuesday, and will attend a state dinner Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, the prince will meet with Jamaican Defense Force soldiers and will join them in firearm practice and a ceremony rappelling down a 60-foot fast rope tower.
His first official trip on the queen’s behalf ends Thursday.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio