Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica’s Olympic trials on Friday, but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio de Janeiro Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month.
Bolt withdrew from the final of the men’s 100m after Friday night’s semi-finals, with Yohan Blake winning the trial in 9.95 seconds.
“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night [Thursday] and then again in the semi-final tonight [Friday], I was examined by the chief doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear,” Bolt said on Facebook.
Photo: AFP
“I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio,” the two-time Olympic 100m and 200m gold medalist added.
Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win his semi.
His withdrawal does not mean he would miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m titles, as Jamaican rules allow medical exemptions.
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