THE FASTEST man on earth, Maurice Greene, endeared himself to Spanish authorities on Wednesday when he was caught on television cameras chasing down a pickpocket at Seville airport, having just arrived from Monaco.

Greene, who holds the world record of 9.79 seconds for 100 metres saw the thief take a wallet from Larry Wade, a hurdler on the US team, as they sat waiting for accreditation for the World Championships.

The hapless thief, clearly not recognising the American, attempted to run away but got only 30 metres across the airport foyer before Green pinned him down and held him until the police arrived.