LAUSANNE, Switzerland, CMC – Usain Bolt returns to competition in today’s Diamond League meet here, following an injury.
The undisputed sprint champion of the World from Jamaica is taking doctor’s orders, and will limit himself to the 100 metres, instead of the 200m he was originally listed to run on the programme.
Bolt conceded he’s not 100 per cent fit, and will allow his major rivals Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay a rare chance to beat him.
“I’ll pick Asafa certainly, but Tyson is struggling with injuries as well,” he said. “But if Asafa beats me, I definitely won’t say it is due to my injury.”
Bolt injured his Achilles tendon following a 300m victory in Ostrava, and has since visited German specialist Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wolfhart.
The specialist treated Bolt and advised him that he must not risk, for the present, running around bends.
“The doctor said to me I should avoid running the curves, so that’s why I’m actually running the 100,” said Bolt.
Spectators in Lausanne’s Olympic Stadium will see the double World record-holder, chase Powell’s meet record of 9.72 seconds set two years ago. The 23-year-old Bolt ran 9.86 this year, and is determined to bounce back from the injury with a good performance. “I’m excited to get back to the track and compete,” he said. “The most important thing for me is to get through the race, see where I am, and finish injury-free.
“I have no idea whether I am in good shape or not. The doctor says the injury is getting better, so that is great news, and what matters most. In four weeks, I should have fully recovered.”
Bolt added: “He said I should take three weeks off, and then in the fourth, I did speed endurance and last week speed work.
“In the morning when I get up, my foot is kind of stiff, but when I move around it’s fine, and the pain goes away.
“When I did the speed work, I actually tried doing bend work, but it aggravated the injury, so I’ve just been doing straight work.”
“I’m not really worried. My coach told me when I came into track & field that it would be inevitable to get injured at some point. It’s part of the game.”
Bolt indicated that this venue is one of his favourites, and is keen to venture into another area.
“I love competing here,” said Bolt. “I’ve been five years back-to-back and run over 200. Now, I’m looking forward to my first 100 race here.”
