Usain Bolt may be a doubt for the 2016 Rio Olympics following a late injury.
The six time Olympic gold medal winner, and the reigning world champion in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, suffered a hamstring tear during the first round of Jamaica’s senior trials in Kingston.
The 29-year-old has since released a statement on Twitter about his current fitness.
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 2, 2016
Bolt wrote:
“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight I was examined by the chief doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a grade-one tear.
“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.”
Starting the recovery process right away. pic.twitter.com/J0HuvxOfiJ
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 2, 2016
Bolt now faces a race against time to prove his fitness in time for the Diamond League meeting in London, where a good performance will allow him to be chosen could prove crucial to his hopes of selection from the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA).
It is hoped that following a good performance in London, his subsequent selection would see the world champion return to defend his titles in his third Olympics.
