Chelsea hire Olympic sprinter who beat Usain Bolt to help academy stars

Cameron Smith

• 30 Mar 2026 16:00 CDT
• 6 min read

News

Former Team GB Olympic sprinter Adam Gemili has officially announced his retirement from athletics, and he has returned to Chelsea as a speed coach for their academy.

The 32-year-old, who became the first British man to run the 100m in under 10 seconds, won three national titles and helped Team GB win the 4x100m relay at the 2017 World Championships - notably beating Usain Bolt and Jamaica.

Gemili was tipped to compete for his country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but he has instead taken to Instagram to confirm his retirement. “After fourteen unforgettable years, it’s time for me to hang up my spikes and step away from professional track and field, a sport that has shaped so much of my life,” he wrote.

“It’s hard to put into words what an incredible journey it’s been. I feel so lucky to have lived my dream for so long, and truly humbled by every moment along the way.

“Thank you for all the support, love, and belief you’ve shown me throughout my career. From a baby faced Adam at London 2012 to a slightly more grey haired version in 2025. I hope I’ve made you proud. It wasn’t always perfect, but I always gave everything I had.

“To my family, friends, coaches, training partners, and support team. Thank you for making every day such an amazing adventure. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared this journey with you all.

“Time for a new chapter, but I’ll carry this one with me forever.”

Adam Gemili becomes speed coach at Chelsea

Before turning his hand at athletics, Gemili was part of the famed Chelsea academy and he played alongside future Blues star Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the youth ranks before departing the west London giants at the age of 15.

He was still playing in the academy ranks at League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge in January 2012, just months before competing at that year’s London Olympics, and he had originally hoped for a career in professional football.

Gemili has now returned to Chelsea as a speed coach for the club’s academy, as per multiple reports.

When asked about his decision to help the Blues’ academy players, Gemili told Sky Sports: “I just hope one or two of them [the academy players] take some inspiration from that and say 'you know what, it doesn't matter if I can't do it in this way, I'll always find a way to be successful'.

“It doesn't matter what you do. My story is my own and I hope a lot of these guys can create their own stories. I really hope they will go on and become super famous, rich, successful footballers that I can ring up and say 'oh, I need some tickets for this game', but the reality is it might not happen.

“But they might then be able to go 'Adam used to do that and then he became a professional athlete in another sport, maybe I can do that'.

“These kids are so talented, they're going to be talented no matter what they do - these 12, 13, 14-year-olds, they are just a different breed.”

He added: “Knowledge is power and if I'm able to teach these kids everything that I know, I can die happy. I hope even just one or two of them can feel some sort of inspiration from my story because football is very tough sport - like, I never planned to become an athlete.

“For a lot of these guys they won't make it to the top level, they won't make it to the top of the Premier League. But if I can teach them the skills that I got, one or two of them might even come into athletics, you never you never really know.”

Gemili came fourth in the 200m final at the 2016 Olympics, while he won the event at the 2014 European Championships with a time of 19.98 seconds. He also won the 4x100m gold medal at three separate European Championships and the 2017 World Championships.

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