Fri | Jul 3, 2026

Achilles injury grounds Bolt

Published:Tuesday | June 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt reacts after winning the men's 300-metre event at the IAAF World Challenge Golden Spike athletic meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, last Tuesday. Bolt has a mild Achilles tendon injury and will miss the Diamond League meeting in New York next Saturday. - AP

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Double Olympic and World sprint champion, Usain Bolt, will be sidelined for up to three weeks due to a mild injury to his Achilles tendon.

As a result, he will miss next week's IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York.

Bolt, who rewrote his own marks in the 100m (9.53) and 200m (19.19) at last year's IAAF World Championships in athletics in Berlin, Germany, reportedly felt a stiffness in the area some time last week and has been advised by noted German doctor, Hans Müller-Wohlfahrt, to take a few weeks off or risk further damage to the tendon.

Müller-Wohlfahrt has aided the recuperation of sporting stars such as footballers Ronaldo, Jurgen Klinsman, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and track star Maurice Greene.

Organisers of the top-shelf meet were advised by Bolt's handlers of his withdrawal yesterday afternoon.

In a release, Bolt stated: "I developed a stiffness in my Achilles tendon last week and sought medical attention. After careful consultation with Dr Hans Müller-Wohlfahrt at his clinic in Munich, I have been advised to take a two to three week break as a precautionary measure, to avoid risking further damage.

"Regrettably, I will have to miss the IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York on Saturday, June 12," he added.

It was at this very meet that Bolt first broke the 100m World Record in 2008 and the sprinting sensation went on to express disappointment at not being able to strut his stuff in front of his fans in the 'Big Apple', but promised to make another appearance soon.

"I am well aware of the disappointment for the fans in New York and around the world, but I hope to return to New York as soon as possible," the release continued.

Endearing superstar

Meet director Mark Wetmore was disappointed that the endearing superstar would not be featured among the 26 Olympic and World champions who have been confirmed for the meet, but wished for the Jamaican a speedy recovery and was hopeful that he would make his return to the meet next year.

"I know I echo the wishes of all New York area track fans when I say that we wish Usain (Bolt) a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back next year," said Wetmore.

"The new Diamond League format has helped us put together world-class fields in all of the disciplines, so track and field fans will still experience the best the sport has ever seen in New York City," he added.

The New York meet will be the fifth stop in the inaugural 14-meet Diamond League, which has already had stops in Doha, Shanghai, Oslo and Rome.