Special bed for Usain Bolt at training base

(Jamaica Gleaner) Usain Bolt is sleeping in a custom made orthopaedic bed at his training camp to ensure he does not suffer further back problems, which disrupted his preparations to retain his Olympic crown.

The world’s fastest man arrived at Jamaica’s training camp at the University of Birmingham this week, but the sprinter’s coach, Glen Mills, asked for his bed to be replaced by a bespoke 7 feet mattress.

Bolt slept in his giant bed for the first time on Tuesday.

The Olympic 100 and 200-metre champion withdrew from tomorrow’s Grand Prix in Monaco with a hamstring problem sustained during his defeat to compatriot Yohan Blake in June.

Zena Wooldridge, the director of sport at Birmingham University, said there was a fear Bolt would be uncomfortable with his bed, so in the last few days a special orthopaedic mattress was made for him.

The Jamaican team will be training in Birmingham until June 26, when the team of 50 athletes and 25 staff will travel to London in time for the opening ceremony.