By Paul A. Reid, Staff Reporter
Bolt
WESTERN BUREAU:
WORLD JUNIOR 200m record holder Usain Bolt heads a trio of high-powered Jamaican athletes, who will miss Friday's inaugural Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet at the stadium due to injuries.
Bolt, along with Olympic and World Championships medallists Lorraine Fenton-Graham and Gregory Haughton, both quarter milers, were scratched from the meet yesterday.
A release from Pace Sports Management, Bolt's United States-based agency, stated: "Noted 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 physio therapy".
The release went on to say: "Usain sincerely apologises for any inconvenience associated with his withdrawal from the meet".
Whereas Bolt's injury was made public, The Gleaner was unable to ascertain the injuries plaguing Fenton and Haughton. Fenton was due to open her season this weekend. Haughton, a member of the gold medal-winning mile relay team at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year, also competed at the Penn Relays two weekends ago in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
INTERNATIONAL STARS
A galaxy of international stars are down to compete at the meet.
Among those billed are Americans Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Gail Devers; 100m world champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts/Nevis along with reigning World and Pan American 400m hurdles champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic plus World and Olympic champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique.
Bolt, who broke the junior world record in the 200m at the CARIFTA Games over
the Easter Weekend, was expected to be one of the major drawing cards for the
meet.
Bolt's manager, Norman Peart, told The Gleaner the athlete, who turns 18 in
August, was disappointed he would not be taking part in the meet, his first
professional outing.
"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," Peart said.
"Usain is a man who loves the crowd. He loves the Jamaican public but
he has got over it," Peart added. "He didn't take it too well at first
but he understands and we spoke at length at the weekend with him, his parents,
Dr. Fletcher, his coach and the physiotherapist."
NOT SERIOUS
Peart said though the injury was not serious it had to heal properly.
"Especially as it is the hamstring," he noted. "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 much."
Bolt should be back in training next week but won't compete until maybe next
month as he will be sitting external examinations between late May and early
June.
Peart said Bolt will attend the meet to give his support.
"He is urging fans to come out and support the meet, which is very important
for the country and make it equal to Champs or even the 2002 World Junior Championships."
