OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, CMC – Jamaican sprint marvel Usain Bolt has declared himself ready for the Jamaica National Track and Field Championship, after his fine win at the Ostrava Golden Spike IAAF Grand Prix meeting on Wednesday.
Bolt recovered from a sluggish start to register a handsome win in the 100 metres in a fast 9.77 seconds, aided by a following wind of 2.1 metres per second, slightly above the allowable limit.
The triple Olympic gold medallist and Laureus Sportsman of the Year caught up with the leaders as they entered the second half of the race and quickened away from his rivals for a superb win.
“Now I’m really looking forward to the (Jamaican) trials,” he said.
Bolt, who set a new 100-metre world record of 9.69 seconds at the Beijing Olympics last summer, won ahead of Britain’s Craig Pickering (10.08) with Martinique-born Ronald Pognon (10.15) third.
Bolt, whose home in Kingston was broken into early Wednesday, is expected to contest the 100 and 200 metres at the Jamaica National Championship at the National Stadium in Kingston next weekend.
Electronic equipment — including a laptop computer and digital camera – valued at approximately US$1,000 — was taken from the star sprinter’s home.
The Jamaica National Championship will help pick teams for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships in Cuba from July 3-5 and the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, from August 15-23.
More than 31 events are carded for the three-day Jamaica Nationals from June 26-28.
