'Come to the favela Usain Bolt' (Rio Diary)

Hoping to realise his dream of getting Usain Bolt to visit the 'favela' or Brazilian slums, well known Rio restaurateur and chef David Bipso has launched a social media campaign inviting the Jamaican sprint star.

Taking to social media platform Facebook, Bipso has posted a series of videos featuring notable musicians, journalists and actors urging Bolt to "come to the favela" and inspire the children.

Joining the many voices for the campaign are Swiss synchronised swimmers Sophie Giger and Sacia Kraus who visited the bar and took a photo with Bipso.

"Like them and like me, Bolt comes from humble beginnings and found sport on his journey. We've lost a lot of children to drug trafficking and a visit like this could really change someone's destiny," Bipso said.

"Therefore, I say: come to the favela, Usain Bolt!"

Bipso, who runs the Bar do David, has also prepared a spicy dish named after Bolt.

Earlier this week, Bolt invited children from some of the favelas surrounding his training base.

"They say these children are from the most dangerous communities (favelas) here in Rio. They are our future and I'm very happy I got to meet them," Bolt wrote on Facebook, uploading pictures with the children.

--IANS

and/ssp/ajb/vt