• Commonwealth Games

Bolt to run in 4x100m relay heats

ESPN staff
July 26, 2014
Usain Bolt struck a familiar pose after arriving in Glasgow on Friday © Getty Images
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Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has confirmed he will run for Jamaica in the 4x100m relay heats at the Commonwealth Games after arriving in Glasgow on Saturday.

Question marks had been raised over Bolt's fitness following his withdrawal from events in Paris and Ostrava earlier in the year due to a foot injury.

As a result, it was believed his involvement at Hampden Park would be restricted to the final of the 4x100m but Bolt revealed he will line up when the heats get under way on Friday.

Usain Bolt buried his head in his arms while laughing when he was asked if he planned to pull out of the Commonwealth Games © Getty Images
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"For me it was very important [to be here]," Bolt said.

"I expressed it to my coach and I am happy to be here. I have always wanted to compete in the Games. The first one in Australia [in 2006] I strained my hamstring and in 2010 in India it was in October, which is a bad time for me.

"I got injured earlier in this season and I didn't want to take anyone's spot so I decided 'why not just come in the 4x100m?'"

Bolt, 27, won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and his presence is a boost to event organisers after the withdrawal of a number of high-profile athletes including Bolt's compatriot Yohan Blake.

"I don't think anyone has dropped on purpose," Bolt added. "It happens in the Olympics, it happens in the World Championships. It's one of those things."

When asked if he had any plans to pull out himself, Bolt buried his head in his hands while laughing. "That's a very weird question," he said. "I am here to run. Why else would I travel all this way to Glasgow? I will be running, definitely."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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