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Former Detroit Lions and California Golden Bears running back Jahvid Best will represent Saint Lucia in 100 meters in Olympics in Rio

Former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is set to become the first athlete with previous NFL experience to qualify for the Olympic Games after being approved to represent Saint Lucia in track and field next month in Rio.

Best -- who was born in Vallejo, California -- will run in the men's 100 meter competition for Saint Lucia, a Carribbean island with estimated population of just over 163,000. Best's father holds dual citizenship with Saint Lucia and the United States.

"This is a huge accomplishment for me, but at the same time this is just the beginning," Best told NBC Sports.