Hamstring injury casts doubt on Bolt’s ‘triple-triple’ Rio hopes
Usain Bolt’s hopes of completing a historic “triple-triple” of Olympic successes in Rio next month are in serious doubt after he withdrew from the Ja- maican trials with a hamstring tear.
The six-time Olympic champion recovered from a slow start to win his 100metres semi-final in Kingston, Jamaica, on Friday night but failed to line up for the final, which was won by Yo- han Blake in his absence.
Bolt revealed he had suffered a grade-one tear – the lowest grade of injury – and still hopes to compete at the London Anniversary Games this month. But with just six weeks until the start of the Olympics there are now concerns that the sport’s biggest superstar will not be at his best to defend his titles even if he does make it to Brazil.
“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring I was examined and diagnosed with a grade-one tear,” said Bolt. “I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the remainder of the national championships. I hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22.”
The Jamaican governing body allows for medical exemptions if an athlete can show an injury denied him or her a chance to compete at the trials. Bolt must still prove he is fit before his country’s qualification deadline on July 11, suggesting he will have to compete prior to the London event. He is still favourite to retain his 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m titles in Rio
In his absence the 100m final in Kingston was won by 2011 world champion and London 2012 silver medallist Blake, who beat Nickel Ashmeade and Jevaughn Minzie in 9.95 sec.
Asafa Powell could finish only fourth, meaning the former 100m world record holder missed out on an individual spot for Rio and will only contest the relays.
There was a huge surprise in the women’s final with Elaine Thompson beating reigning Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Christania Williams was third, while three-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown suffered the same fate as Powell, finishing fourth and missing out on an individual spot at the Olympics.