Usain Bolt failed to show at Jamaica’s open training session on Tuesday, raising further concerns that he is in a race against time to get fit for the London Olympics.
The reigning Olympic sprint champion has been far from invincible this season, losing in the 100 metres and 200m of Jamaica’s Olympic trials to training partner and chief rival Yohan Blake.
This has led to the suspicion that he is struggling with injury and on Tuesday members of the media and fans were left disappointed when Bolt did not appear on the track at Jamaica’s University of Birmingham training base.
Instead, he and Blake opted to train behind closed doors later in the afternoon and attempts by officials to ease concerns about the double world-record holder were less than convincing.
Ludlow Watts, Jamaica’s team manager, said: “Let me say, by the time he gets to the Olympics he will be competition fit; by the time he gets there. Sometimes in your preparations there can be dislocation. But I believe he is adequately prepared.”
Meanwhile, Olympic track legend Michael Johnson believes Bolt’s fitness woes will actually improve the 100m final.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist said: “We’re going to be treated to an incredible showdown and it’s primarily because Usain Bolt is not at his best.
“He’s had an injury that he’s been dealing with all season, he was beaten at the Jamaican trials by his countryman Yohan Blake and hasn’t raced since.” – Daily Mail