IAAF Diamond League - Paris

Usain Bolt Withdraws From Next Two Races Due To Injury

Usain Bolt Withdraws From Next Two Races Due To Injury

Jun 30, 2015 by Karsten Kaufmann
Usain Bolt Withdraws From Next Two Races Due To Injury




An injury will keep the World's fastest man out of his next two scheduled races.

Meet organizers in Paris and Lausanne announced on Tuesday that six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt will not compete in the next two Diamond League races due to a blocked sacroiliac joint in his left leg which is restricting the movement in his knee and ankle. He plans to seek treatment in Munich before turning his attention to preparing for August's World Championships. Bolt is the defending World champion in both the 100m and 200m. 

Bolt has run season's bests of 10.12 in the 100m, and 20.13 in the 200m, nowhere near the form that saw him set World records of 9.58 and 19.19 in 2009. Meanwhile, Justin Gatlin has dominated the sprints thus far in 2015, running PB's of 9.74 in May, and most recently 19.57 in the 200 meter final at the USATF Championships, both #1 in in the World in 2015. 

"I'm disappointed not to be able to compete in Paris and Lausanne. I love running at these meetings but at the moment I am unable to compete at 100%. I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible," Bolt said in a statement. 

Even if Bolt can get back to full health in time to defend his 100/200 meter titles for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, it may not be enough to overcome the powerful Gatlin, who has been unstoppable the last two seasons.