A STUDENT flew half way around the world in the hope of finding and interviewing Usain Bolt for his dissertation.

Dylan Legrand, who is studying sports journalism at the University of Brighton, was so desperate to get an interview with the world’s fastest man that he bought a plane ticket to Bolt’s home country of Jamaica.

The Eastbourne student paid for the trip with his own money, with some help from his older brother.

He said: “When I told my father, he did not disapprove, but he thought it was a really crazy idea.”

However, Dylan’s efforts paid off when he spoke to Bolt at a training session in November last year.

He said: “I am proud of what I achieved – it was a challenge but it turned out to be a great experience.”

Dylan's first piece of luck came on the flight to the Caribbean when he was sat next to a Jamaican couple whose home happened to be close to the college Bolt once attended.

The college directed him to Sherwood Content, Bolt’s hometown, where he met the runner’s father, Wellesley.

He was also invited to meet staff at the Jamaica Observer newspaper, who discussed Jamaican Olympic efforts and told him where the sprint team practised.

Although they warned him he would be rejected from the training ground, Dylan decided to try his luck anyway.

He said: “I was not welcomed at the training session when I first arrived, but I managed to make a deal with coach Glen Mills to stay.

“Unfortunately it meant I wasn’t allowed to take photographs.”

But the gamble paid off and he managed to meet the big man himself.

Dylan said of the meeting: “Usain is a cool man – very relaxed. I met him in the session and he was very focused. It was great to watch him.”

The student has used his material from his time in Jamaica to write a critical investigation feature for University, as well as an article which he hopes will be published in an international magazine.

He graduates from University this year, and says he hopes the article will help launch his career in journalism.

He added: “I would recommend my course to anyone thinking of a career in journalism. It helped me master my communication, journalism and interviewing skills, and with preparation for a first job within the industry.”