Six-time Olympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt has suffered an injury scare ahead of Rio Olympics in Brazil after tearing a hamstring at Jamaica’s Olympic trials.
Bolt, 29, sustained the grade-one tear during the first round of the 100m and withdrew after winning his semi-final race.
He is still expected to defend his 100 and 200m titles as Jamaica’s selection policy allows medical exemptions.
Bolt “will seek treatment immediately” and is aiming to return for the London Anniversary Games on July 22.
In the double world champion’s absence, the 100m final in Kingston was won by London 2012 silver medallist Yohan Blake in a time of 9.95 seconds.
The injury has hindered Bolt’s preparations for the Olympic Games that leaves him fighting to be fit for Rio 2016.
The Jamaican’s plan for the build up to Brazil centred around starring at his country’s National Championships in Kingston before fine tuning himself at the Anniversary Games in London in three weeks but, as it stands, he is now facing a race to be ready for that meeting.
Bolt had to pull out of the 100m final having been examined by a doctor who diagnosed a grade one tear in his hamstring.
It was a hugely disappointing moment for the thousands who had come out in force to see Bolt compete at his local track.
The embattled sprinter later through his twitter handle confirmed he was now facing a period of rehabilitation.
“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again after the semi-final I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the medical team and was diagnosed with a grade one hamstring injury,” Bolt tweeted.
“I have submitted a medical exemption reminder to be excused from the 100m 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 my selection for the Olympics in Rio.”
Later, Bolt was back on social media posting pictures of himself in physio with the caption: ‘Starting the recovery process right away.’
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