Usain Bolt, arguably the most recognizable name in track and field in the world, pulled out of Saturday's Jamaica International Invitational meeting due to what has been deemed as a slight hamstring strain.
According to Yahoo! News via Reuters, Bolt's agent Ricky Simms said that the six-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters felt what was described as tightness in his hamstring while training this past weekend and decided to sit out Saturday's race after consulting with his running coach Glen Mills.
"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," Simms said.
The move was more precautionary, Simms indicated, as the start of track and field season is just getting underway. When asked about the seriousness of the injury to Bolt, Simms downplayed it, stating that Bolt--who has risen to prominence in sprinting thanks to his record-breaking performances in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games--could not sprint, but could walk okay, and was hoping to run in Cayman next week.
The race was supposed to be the first of the season for Bolt with some steep competition including Jamaican Olympic bronze medalist Warren Weir and American runner Wallace Spearmon.
In a statement on his personal website, Bolt, 26, addressed the decision to miss the race.
"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 1 strain so hopefully I will be OK soon," he said.