World record holder, Usain Bolt suffered an injury scare ahead of Rio after tearing a hamstring at Jamaica’s Olympic trials on Friday.
Bolt sustained the grade-one tear during the first round of the 100m and withdrew after winning his semi-final in 10.04 seconds.
His longtime rival Yohan Blake won the 100 title and formally qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics — but only after a false-start disqualification call against him was overturned after review.
But even after Blake regrouped and prevailed, all the buzz was about Bolt and his status going forward especially since the national meet serves as the Jamaican Olympic trials.
Bolt’s withdrawal does not mean he will miss the Olympics, where he is expected to defend his titles in the 100 and 200 which is due to Jamaica’s selection policy which allows medical exemptions. He said he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring tear — the most mild sort — and that the discomfort began presenting itself in his quarterfinal race on Thursday night.
“I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships,” Bolt said in a statement released through Jamaican officials.
“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.”
Blake, who finished second to Bolt at the London Games in the 100, said he was confident that the world-record-holder will be in Rio.
“No doubt, no doubt, no doubt,” Blake said. “It’s just a caution measure. He’s good. Just being cautious.”
Bolt will seek treatment immediately and is aiming to return for the London Anniversary Games on July 22.
