Bolt’s cousin looking to make mark at World Cup

REIMS, France:

Chanel Hudson-Marks is making her own mark in the world of sports as a member of the history-making Jamaican team at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

However, history and sports are shared with a rather popular member of her family, Jamaican sprinting icon Usain Bolt.

Hudson-Marks, a 21-year-old University of Memphis defender, has only met the eight-time Olympic champion and double sprint world record holder once, during a family reunion six years ago, but it was a meeting that has left an impression.

While she looks to make the most of this World Cup experience in France, she is hoping that like her celebrated cousin, she too will be able to lift her name in the pantheons of sporting history.

"Yes, Usain Bolt is one of my cousins, we are probably about third cousins. In 2013, we had a family reunion and I got to meet him and some other Bolts, so that was really cool," she told STAR Sports.

"I didn't really get to talk to him one-on-one but just getting to know him and the other Bolts was pretty amazing, it's a huge family, so it was great. It's a motivation somewhat, his is a big name and I am trying to get my name out there too," Hudson-Marks added.

The young defender said she has been enjoying the experience of representing her country on the biggest stage and hopes that the team's exploits in France and beyond will help to further increase the interest and support around women's football in the island.

Creating history

"It's been pretty good so far, it's a great environment. All the girls are positive so it's been really good," she noted. "I think we are doing a pretty good job of bouncing back from the last game. We know we can't dwell on the result of that game, all we can do is just move forward, so we have been focussing on the next games to come."

"We are creating history and there are people who are looking to us and it's a great spot to be in. We are excited to show younger females and boys that they can do the same thing, achieve whatever they set their minds to," Hudson-Marks noted.

Jamaica lost 3-0 to Brazil in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup game on Sunday in Grenoble and will next face Italy tomorrow in Reims.