Usain Bolt withdrew from the Jamaican Olympic Trials with a grade-one hamstring tear but still hopes to be named to the Olympic team, according to his social media.
“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear,” Bolt’s social media said. “I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio.”
Bolt can still be named to Jamaica’s Olympic team, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.
The “selection policy allows for medical exemptions in cases where athletes can prove that an injury has prevented them from competing at the trials,” the newspaper said, adding that Bolt was unlikely to race the 200m later in the meet.
Bolt had won his 100m semifinal race earlier Friday night in 10.04 seconds (video here) to make the final at a meet where the top three would generally be in line to make the Olympic team individually.
Rival Yohan Blake won the Jamaican Trials 100m in Bolt’s absence in 9.95 seconds.
Asafa Powell, the world-record holder before Bolt, finished fourth, putting him in line to miss the three-man Jamaican Olympic team in the 100m. Powell could still be part of the 4x100m relay pool.
In the women’s final, world 200m silver medalist Elaine Thompson equaled the Jamaican record by winning in 10.70 seconds. Two-time Olympic 100m champ Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, slowed by a toe injury this spring, was second in 10.93 to earn her spot in Rio.
ZACCARDI: Bolt not the only injured Olympic track and field star
Asafa Powell says he expects Usain Bolt to run in Rio.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 2, 2016
The first reports of Bolt’s withdrawal came about 30 minutes before the final was scheduled in Kingston.
Bolt has dealt with injuries in recent years, including a reported hamstring problem that necessitated a visit to a German doctor in May and a reported ankle injury last winter.
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— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 2, 2016
Starting the recovery process right away. pic.twitter.com/J0HuvxOfiJ
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 2, 2016