Olympic champion Bolt suffers injury scare before London Games

London: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has suffered an injury scare and wouldn’t compete in any athletic event before the London Olympics.

Bolt has pulled out of the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, and may not even be regarded as the gold medal favourite, in the wake of training partner and rival Yohan Blake’s blazing form. Bolt’s coach Glen Mills would not reveal the exact nature of the problem, but he is believed to have suffered a back injury in February. “Arising from Usain’s participation at the National Trials in Kingston this past weekend, where he had a slight problem, after careful assessment I have had to withdraw him 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,” a newspaper quoted Mills, as saying. This news will give further encouragement to Blake, who ran 9.75secs for the blue riband sprint and 19.80 for the 200 meters last weekend. Bolt admitted yesterday that he is suffering from a ‘slight problem’ as he lost both the 100m and 200m in the trials, but insisted he will be in London to defend his titles. “I am happy to have earned my spot on the Jamaican Olympic team despite the challenge,” Bolt said. “I will be in London to defend my titles in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 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,” he added. ANI