Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man on earth - and he may just be the fastest in outer space too.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist took flight in zero-gravity conditions in an Airbus Zero-G plane above France as a part of a champagne sponsorship on Thursday (NZ time).
The occasion was the presentation of a champagne bottle that would allow astronauts to drink bubbles in space. The Airbus is used for scientific research.
Bolt enjoyed some champagne with French astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy and designer Octave de Gaulle, and then took the duo on in a race.
While the race was even as the start, Bolt turned up the heat to claim a convincing win.
So, for now, Bolt is the fastest man on earth and in space.
"A kid in a candy store, that's how I felt," he said afterwards. "For me, it was just fun.
"It's running in a different type of atmosphere, it means that you are like on the Moon. It's no worries, do you know what I mean?
"It's so different. At first, when you get into that mode, your mind is blowing, so for me it was outstanding."
Bolt took time out from his Central Coast Mariners trial to participate in the event.
"After completing his first three weeks of training with the Central Coast Mariners, the club wishes to advise media that Usain Bolt will be abroad from Sunday, September 9 to Sunday, September 16 for a previously planned commitment," said the Mariners last week.
"This commitment was agreed between Usain Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners, before his training period commenced with the club."
Newshub.
