A hamstring injury kept Usain Bolt from earning his spot on the Jamaican Olympic team at trials, but it shouldn’t keep him from competing in Rio. He was named to the squad Monday after receiving a medical exemption from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association.
Bolt was competing at his country’s trials when he sustained the injury, which is a grade-one tear. The top three in his races qualify for the Olympics, but unlike the U.S., Jamaica allows for medical exemptions and discretionary measures. So it was not in doubt that he’d be chosen. He just needs to prove he’s fit by the London Diamond League event on July 22.
The world’s fastest man will be seeking third consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He’ll be one of 59 Jamaican track and field athletes, the country’s largest team ever in athletics.
Other track and field stars, such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Yohan Blake and Veronica Campbell-Brown, were also officially named to Jamaica’s team.
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