Usain Bolt on life in the fast lane

David Walliams talks to Usain Bolt

Prince Harry receives a T-shirt as a gift from Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt (AP)

DAVID WALLIAMS: How are you feeling about the Olympics?

USAIN BOLT: I am feeling good, training hard and looking forward to August in London.

DW: How's the training going?

UB: Training is going well. The hard winter work has been done and now we are starting the faster work to get ready for the track season.

DW: When did you first realise you were so fast, and how fast do you think you can ultimately run?

UB: I first realised I was fast at school. I used to play cricket and my cricket teacher saw that I had good speed and advised me to sprint. I was winning races from the start of my career. My personal best for 100m is 9.58 secs. I hope to improve this time but I don't know how fast it will be.

DW: How careful are you being at the moment about looking after yourself?

UB: I try to eat a healthy diet when I am at home in Jamaica and in training. When I am abroad I tend to eat whatever is available and sometimes this includes fast food. I am fortunate that I don't put on weight and can get away with a few treats.

DW: What is your favourite type of chocolate?

UB: I don't eat much chocolate – I prefer Skittles and Pringles.

DW: What is your ritual before a race?

UB: I don't have a ritual like some other athletes. I usually try to entertain the fans to get the energy up in the stadium.

DW: What is your biggest fear?

UB: Deep water.

DW: What do you think about when you race?

UB: There isn't much time to think in nine seconds but I try to focus on whatever my coach has told me to work on.

DW: How did you adjust to suddenly being the most famous man on earth?

UB: I try to make the most of it as I have had many great opportunities to meet people and travel to new places. I have a good team of people around me to keep my feet on the ground.

DW: What sport are you worst at?

UB: I'd have to say synchronised swimming.

DW: What do you dream of?

UB: Being an Olympic legend and living in my big dream house in Jamaica.

DW: If you had a cat, what would you call it?

UB: I have a cat – well, it's actually a cheetah. It is in Kenya.

DW: What are your best and worst Olympic memories?

UB: My best Olympic memory is having 100,000 people singing happy birthday to me in English in Beijing. My worst is when I was injured in the 2004 Olympics and unable to run properly.

DW: Do you think that sport can make a difference to people's lives? What would you have done if you hadn't been good at running?

UB: Sport can make a massive difference to people's lives. It has given me some great experiences in life which I will remember for ever. If I hadn't been an athlete I would be playing another sport – maybe football or cricket.

DW: What are your other passions?

UB: I like music, cars, football and other sports. When I'm not training or racing I play Playstation (Call of Duty at the moment), watch movies, watch sport or hang out with friends.

DW: What role does music play in your life? And do you have a favourite Britney Spears song?

UB: I like a lot of music but I have to be honest in that I don't have any Britney Spearson my playlist. I am more of a reggae, dancehall, R&B-type person.

DW: What advice would you give to people who don't currently do sport but are thinking of giving it a try?

UB: Give it a try – it will improve health and fitness and make you happy. Find some friends to play or train with and have fun.

DW: Have you ever heard of the British comedian David Walliams?

UB: Is he that famous swimmer who tried to drink the river Thames?