By 3 News online staff
Usain Bolt’s signature swagger was all but absent during his official Maori welcome in Auckland this afternoon.
It seems even the world’s fastest man gets intimidated at the sight of a traditional New Zealand haka and powhiri.
“They scared me a little bit,” he says. “That was scary but it was fun – looks like something that I would like to do... we'll see.”
The Jamaican sprinter has spent less than 12 hours in New Zealand on a Gatorade promotional tour, and more than 350 staff turned up for a glimpse of the fastest man on Earth.
"Everybody is here because of you,” says kaumatua Joe Tepania. “Nobody took a day off."
Nobody took a day off except the helicopter pilot supposed to ferry Bolt in. Low cloud forced the 26-year-old to come by car.
Tonight he helped launch a new Gatorade partnership with the New Zealand Breakers and run a coaching clinic for young New Zealand sprinters.
Athletics New Zealand chief executive Scott Newman says it’s a great opportunity for the country’s young sprinters.
“It's rare to have the chance to get close to such a world-class athlete, and all those involved will benefit greatly from the experience," says Mr Newman.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Bolt says he’s been “looking forward” to the trip but joked New Zealand hadn’t lived up to it’s reputation.
“It’s the country of the ‘long white cloud’, but it's raining outside,” he says.
Bolt set the world record for the 100m – 9.58s – three years ago. At this year's London Olympics, he did it in 9.63s.
3 News