Bring it on: Bolt has not shirked Farah’s challenge (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Usain Bolt has accepted Mo Farah’s challenge of a mouthwatering showdown between the track superstars in a rarely-run one-and-a-half-lap race.

British distance specialist Farah, the Olympic champion over 5,000metres and 10,000m, yesterday dared the Jamaican sprint sensation to take part in the duel at the weekend after the pair lit up London’s Olympic Stadium again with commanding victories at the Anniversary Games.

Farah, 30, suggested a race, in aid of the pair’s respective charity foundations, over 600m or 800m, saying: ‘Are you up for that? Come on, you’ve got to do it. Let’s get it on.’



And the world’s fastest man Bolt, 26, has not shied away from the offer.


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The Olympic champion and world-record holder over 100m and 200m said of Farah’s challenge: ‘That sounds fun. It’s going to be hard but it’s charity so it’s all about fun and enjoyment. I’m up for anything, anything’s possible.’

Bolt, though, will only take up the gauntlet over 600m – and not definitely not 1500m – a distance over which Farah clocked a new British record this month in Monaco.

Quizzed about a 1500m battle, Bolt added: ‘It’s way too far. Six-hundred for sure I can try because I’ve done 600m in training.’