Bolt to open Diamond League in Rome

Sprint sensation Usain Bolt says he has returned to full fitness and is anxious to perform in the 100m at the Compeed Golden Gala lucrative Diamond League meet in Rome on May 26.



Organisers announced Friday that Bolt had confirmed for the meet, the third of the series which will be preceded by Doha and Shanghai in the same month.



“I am working hard to be ready for the 26th of May. It will be my first European and Samsung Diamond League competition in a season leading to the IAAF World Championships in Daegu,” Bolt said.



“I am fully recovered, after the injury I suffered last summer, and the training has been going according to the plans of my coach. I am confident I will be able to get the best shape at the right time in the summer.



“I only want to say to the people in Italy: come to the Rome Olympic Stadium on 26 May, we will enjoy a great athletics party there.”



Bolt was forced to bring a premature end to his 2010 season after picking up a back injury last August, forcing him to miss Diamond League meetings in Zurich and Brussels.



It also followed his first loss in two years, when he was beaten by American Tyson Gay in Stockholm.



This year, however, will be important for Bolt as he defends his World 100 and 200 metres titles at Daegu, South Korea, in August.



He said he hoped to launch his season with a fast time at a track known for such exploits.



“I’m looking forward to test the reaction of the Roman crowd, whose love for sports is well known worldwide,” he said.







“I know that the Olympic stadium has a very fast track, as some of the best sprinters ran remarkable times there in the last ten years. I hope to put my name on that list, hopefully somewhere on the top.”







Gay holds the Golden Gala meet record for the 100 metres, having clocked 9.77 seconds here two years ago.