Bolt out of Jamaica Invitational with hamstring niggle

Kingston (Jamaica), May 2 (IANS/CMC)

Sprint icon Usain Bolt has pulled out of this weekend’s Jamaica Invitational with a hamstring strain.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist picked up a slight tinge during training last weekend and has decided to sit out the meet as a precaution.

“I am disappointed to miss the Kingston meet as I love running in front of my home crowd in Jamaica. I’m told it is only a grade one strain so hopefully I will be ok soon,” Bolt said in a statement Wednesday.

His agent Ricky Simms confirmed the injury was not a serious one.

“It’s a small strain and he’s hoping to be ok for next week but you know it’s day by day … maybe for the two or three days. It just a problem of sprinting,” he explained.

The 26-year-old Bolt, who holds the 100 and 200 metres world records, was scheduled to participate in the 200 metres alongside fellow Jamaican Warren Weir, who captured bronze at last year’s London Olympics.

He will now turn his attention to the Cayman Islands meet next Wednesday in George Town where he is down to compete in the 100 metres.

Bolt is preparing for the Diamond League season which opens in Doha May 10, and for the World Championships in Moscow in August.

Training partner and reigning 100m World champion Yohan Blake is also set to miss the Jamaica Invitational with a similar hamstring injury.