Western Bureau:
A MINOR HAMSTRING injury has forced World Junior 200m record-holder Usain Bolt out of Friday's inaugural Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium.
Bolt who blazed an eye opening 19.93 seconds at the CARIFTA Games on April 11, and who was expected to challenge the 32-year-old national record of 19.86 seconds set by 1976 Olympic champion Donald Quarrie, was ordered to rest by Dr Cyril Fletcher who is treating him.
The teenage sensation joins a list of Jamaican athletes, including 400m runners Gregory Haughton and Lorraine Fenton, who will miss the meet. Both are reported to be injured.
Hamstring
It is understood that Bolt injured his hamstring during training at the IAAF High Performance Centre on Friday but despite some amount of improvement, it was decided on Monday that the injury had not healed sufficiently for him to compete on Friday.
Contacted yesterday, Bolt's local-based manager Norman Peart told THE STAR that the athlete, who turns 18 in August, was disappointed he would not be taking part in the meet, his first professional outing.
Peart said: "I would say very disappointed, it was to be his first professional race right here in Jamaica and he was really looking forward to it, he was prepared to put on a show for all his friends and local fans."
He added: "Usain is a man who loves the crowd, he loves the Jamaican public."
Peart said that while the injury is not serious, it has to heal properly, especially as it is the hamstring.
"We started physio and hydrotherapy on the weekend and he showed lots of improvement. However, after a detailed assessment on Monday, the doctor recommended that he sit out as the injury had not healed properly, considering the level of competition he would be up against, it would be too risky."
Bolt should be back in training next week.
Peart said Bolt would attend the meet as he thinks it is important to support it.
"He has called on his fans to come out and support the meet which is very important to the country," Peart said.
A release from Pace Sports Management, Bolt's United States-based agency, noted that sports medicine physician "Dr Cyril Fletcher has advised Usain Bolt to withdraw from the 200m event...(after he) sustained an injury to his left hamstring on Friday, April 30 during training and has been recovering steadily while he undergoes hydro and physiotherapy."
Apology
The release went on to say, "Usain sincerely apologises for any inconvenience associated with his withdrawal from the meeting."
Another release from the organisers of the meet also confirmed Bolt's non-participation in the meet adding that "the meet continues to generate significant response from all the other athletes invited."
The galaxy of international stars down to compete include Americans Marion Jones, men's 100m world record holder Tim Montgomery and many-time Olympic champion Gail Devers; 100m world champion Kim Collins of St Kitts/Nevis and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic and world and Olympic 800m champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique.
Bolt who broke the Junior World Record in the 200m at the CARIFTA Games on the Easter Weekend was expected to be one of the major drawing cards for the meet.
