Bolt pulls out of Paris, Ostrava

London, June 7 (IANS/CMC) Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has delayed his debut on the international circuit this season, after pulling out of the Ostrava Golden Spike and Paris Diamond League.

The World and Olympic champion announced he would miss the June 17 outing in the Czech Republic and the July 5 Meeting Areva at Stade de France because of a foot injury that disrupted his training and left him behind schedule, reports CMC.

"As reported a few weeks ago I had to miss some training in late March and early April due to a foot injury," Bolt said.

"Thankfully my foot is 100 per cent healthy now and I am back in full training. Unfortunately due to the training that I missed I am behind where I am at normally at this time of year and will not be ready to race in the Ostrava Golden Spike meet or the Meeting Areva in Paris.

"These are great events that I have competed in many times in the past and I plan to run in many times in the future. I have a lot of support in both countries and always get a good reception there," he added.

Bolt was set for his seventh appearance in Ostrava, an IAAF World Challenge meet, having in the past competed three times in the 100m, twice over 200m and once in the 300m.

Meanwhile, Bolt has competed at the Meeting Areva on four occasions before, running the 100 metres in 2009 and 2010, and the 200 metres in 2011 and 2013. He was expected to run the half-lap this time around. The 27-year-old Jamaican holds the Paris meet record in the 100 metres of 9.79 seconds, set five years ago.

--IANS/CMC

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