Usain Bolt withdraws from Monaco meet

London: Usain Bolt withdrew from his final race before the Olympics on Thursday with what his coach called a “slight” injury problem following the Jamaican trials.

Bolt was scheduled to run the 200 meters at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 20 but pulled out to have treatment ahead of the London Games. Despite the withdrawal, Bolt said Thursday he would be in London to defend his titles. The Olympic champion and world record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters had his right hamstring stretched out on the track after finishing second to Yohan Blake in the 200 at the Jamaican Olympic trials over the weekend. He also was beaten by Blake in the 100 meters in Kingston. Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, said in a statement the withdrawal was because of “a slight problem” Bolt had at the trials. He didn’t elaborate. “After careful assessment I have had to withdraw him (Bolt) from the Samsung Diamond League Meeting in Monaco on July 20 to give him sufficient time for treatment and time to train and prepare for the Olympic Games in London,” Mills said. Bolt’s surprising losses to Blake suggested the superstar sprinter may not be in the dominant form he was at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when he powered to gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay, all in world-record times. “I am happy to have earned my spot on the Jamaican Olympic team despite the challenge,” Bolt said in the same statement. “I will be in London to defend my titles in the 100, 200 and 4x100 meters. I want to congratulate my fellow Racers Track Club Members along with the other athletes who made the team. I thank everyone for their support.” Agencies