After saying a week ago that he would bypass the Commonwealth Games, the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt could make his first appearance at the championships after making himself available to be selected to the Jamaican team despite missing this weekend’s JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships.
Bolt, who has won gold medals at every major meet but missed the last two Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2006 and India four years ago, said, in a release yesterday, he would only be available for the sprint relays, if selected by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA’s) selection committee.
Bolt and Racers Track Club training partner Yohan Blake had not submitted entries at last week’s deadline and their handlers said then they would not be available for the championships that are held every four years.
Bolt has not competed so far this season and has withdrawn from two meets, and in his release published on the Commonwealth Games website yesterday, said: “I am not ready to compete at the Jamaican Championships this weekend, but I have informed the JAAA that I am available for selection for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and have submitted the relevant documents.”
If he is picked he will join fellow World Championships triple gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will also miss this weekend’s JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, after submitting a medical certificate, though she will only run in the relays.
In his release Bolt said while he would not be ready to compete this weekend and does not want to take someone else’s place, he would be willing to run in the relays if needed.
