Hamstring strain forces Bolt out

A hamstring strain suffered during training last weekend has forced Usain Bolt to withdraw from Saturday's Jamaica International Invitational meet, the superstar sprinter's manager said Tuesday.

Bolt, a double world-record holder and two-time defending 100- and 200-metres Olympic champion, won the 100 at the meet last year and was to run the 200 this time before what manager Ricky Simms called “a mild setback in training.”

“I am disappointed to miss the Kingston meet as I love running in front of my home crowd in Jamaica,” Bolt said.

“I'm told it is only a Grade 1 strain so hopefully I will be OK soon.” Simms said Bolt hopes to recover in time to race in the Cayman Invitational on May 8 but will make a final decision closer to the time depending on how he feels in training.

The decision not to run in Kingston was taken after talks between Bolt, trainers and Bolt's coach, Glen Mills.

“The 26-year-old felt tightness in training over the weekend and in consultation with his coach Glen Mills decided not to risk anything at this early stage of the season,” Simms said.

Bolt will join training partner and reigning world 100 metres champion Yohan Blake on the sidelines after Blake suffered a slight strain in his right hamstring two weeks ago while running his first 100 race of the year at the UTech Classic.

Meet official Donald Quarrie said he hopes the injury is nothing serious and that both Bolt and Blake recover in time to compete at the world championships in August at Moscow. AFP