Bolted down

AP:

Usain Bolt is calling it quits for 2010, cutting his season short because of tightness in his lower back less than a week after losing in the 100 metres to American rival Tyson Gay.

Bolt's manager, Ricky Simms, wrote in an email yesterday that the world record holder in the 100 and 200 metres will have treatment to loosen his back and then rest, skipping IAAF Diamond League track and field meets in Zurich on August 19 and Brussels on August 27.

"I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit ... but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year," Bolt said, according to Simms. "2011 and 2012 are very important championship years and I hope to be back fully fit and healthy. I would like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to coming back stronger next year."

Simms said Bolt was examined Monday by a doctor in Munich, Germany, who found the back problem.

"He has a tightness that restricts his ability to generate power in his stride and continuing to race in this condition could risk injury to his hamstrings or calf muscles," Simms wrote.

Bolt's manager said the decision to take a break was made "with a view to his future career".

Simms also said an MRI exam showed that a previous left Achilles tendon injury is healed.

Bolt had not lost an individual race in two years until Friday, when Gay beat him at the DN Galan meet in Stockholm. Gay ran 9.84 seconds and Bolt finished in 9.97.

Afterward, even Gay acknowledged he was not racing against a fit Bolt.

"I'm really happy with the win," Gay said at the time, "even though Usain Bolt isn't in the best shape."

Reactions to usain's exit

Anika Samuels, 25:

"I think he should continue. He's a good athlete. If him have a little problem, he should take some time and cool off, not take off the entire year ... not because him lose to Tyson Gay, him shouldn't stop, although health is important."

Violet Edwards, 50:

"Well, mi sad 'bout say him not running. It's bad 'cause it drop wi back a whole lot. Jamaicans love sports. Everytime this man run the whole country just get excited. Now that him not running, people must feel a way."

André Matthews, 23:

"Bolt do a whole lot of good for Jamaica. Trust me, I feel a way. I think he's going to come back before the year done, but Yohan Blake should just use this opportunity to step up to the plate and take it."

Jahmari Nesbeth, 13:

"Me feel a way. Usain did a carry Jamaica. A him mostly did a win. Everybody else did a come second and third. Him shouldn't sit out the rest of the year."

Ricardo Senior, 31:

"I don't care for track and field. Football season is on now so he can stop run. I don't think 9.69 seconds is entertaining. Compare that to a football match that lasts for more than an hour. Is football time now."