LONDON,
England, Wednesday July 11, 2012 – One month before the 100-meter final at the
London Olympics, Usain Bolt has pulled out of the July 20 Monaco Diamond League
meet with "a slight problem" that occurred during the recent Jamaican
Olympic trials, his coach Glen Mills said.
The
injured sprinter’s withdrawal followed the double blow of losing in the 100 and
200 to training partner Yohan Blake at the trials. His absence from the Monaco
meet, which was to have been his final tuneup before the games, leaves him
facing the Olympics in the wake of two consecutive losses.
Despite
the withdrawal, the 25-year-old sprint sensation insisted he'll be at the games
to retain the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay titles he won in Beijing four years ago
in world-record times.
"I
am happy to have earned my spot on the Jamaican Olympic team despite the
challenge," Bolt said in a statement. "I will be in London to defend
my titles."
After
congratulating his victorious training partner Blake following the 200 in
Kingston, Bolt lay flat on his back and had his right hamstring stretched out
by a trainer. His loss two days earlier in the 100 came after a poor start.
According
to coach Mills: "After careful assessment I have had to withdraw him from
the Samsung Diamond League Meeting in Monaco on July 20 to give him sufficient
time for treatment and time to train and prepare for the Olympic Games in
London."
The
coach confirmed that the injury was from Bolt’s participation at the National
Trials, but did not elaborate on the nature of the problem.
Having
built a reputation for being unbeatable in the 100 and 200 over the past four
years and powering to Olympic and back-to-back world titles in the sprint
events, Bolt lost twice in three days to Blake in Kingston. He nevertheless
remains confident.
"I
can never be discouraged," Bolt insisted. "I'm never worried until my
coach gets worried, and my coach isn't worried, so I'm OK."
Despite
the recent setbacks, current and former athletes believe Bolt will be back at
his best for the games.
"I
found Usain to be a bit labored (at the trials)," American challenger and
former 100 world champion Tyson Gay said. "He gave the impression that he
was forcing it, which is unlike him. However, these two races don't change
things as regards to the London Games.
"Yohan
may give the impression today that he's a bit of a cut above the rest ... Usain
still has a month to get back into shape. He's a major championships man."
Former
200 and 400 Olympic champion Michael Johnson said Bolt was still his pick for
gold. The American said Bolt was capable of lowering his 100 world record of
9.58 seconds to 9.4.
"I
think Usain can do whatever he wants to do," Johnson said on the website
of the Laureus sports academy. "He's got that type of talent and he wants to
win three gold medals again.
"If
he gets to the starting line healthy, at his best, everyone else at their best,
he wins every time. I mean he's just that good."
SOURCE:
http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/595366.html#ixzz20OsJD8m1
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