Bolt to miss rest of 2010 season
Olympic and world sprint champion Usain Bolt will not race again this year due to a lower back injury, his management company have announced.
The Jamaican double world record-holder has withdrawn from the IAAF Diamond League meetings in Zurich and Brussels on medical advice.
Bolt was told by a doctor in Munich that he would risk injury to his hamstring or calf if he continued to race with a tightness in his lower back.
A statement posted on the PACE Sports Management website said: "With a view to his future career we believe further treatment to loosen his back followed by a period of rest will be in his best interest.
"We are delighted to report that the MRI scan on his Achilles tendon showed that it has now completely healed."
Bolt's lower back was examined in Munich on Monday by Dr Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, who found a "tightness that restricts his ability to generate power in his stride".
The announcement that his 2010 season is over comes less than a week after Bolt was beaten by American rival Tyson Gay in the 100meters at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting.
The 23-year-old regrets having to end his season early - but he has to prioritise the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.
"I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit - Zurich and Brussels - but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year," said Bolt.
"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."
