San Juan (Jamaica): Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is not participating in the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association National Senior Championship.
The six-time Olympic champion is already guaranteed a spot on the Jamaican team competing in the August 22-30 World Championships in Beijing, where Bolt will defend his 100-metre and 200-metre titles, reports Efe.
Bolt’s agent Rick Simms said the runner was not “confirmed” to take part in the Jamaican trials for Beijing, but had signed up only “to have the option” to run.
The world record-holder was expected to vie with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nesta Carter and Nickel Ashmeade at the senior championship in Kingston, the Jamaica Observer newspaper reported.
A spokeswoman for the JAAA declined to provide more details on Bolt’s withdrawal.
In Kingston, Omar McLeod ran a world leading time of 12.97 seconds to capture the men’s 110 metre hurdles at the Jamaican national trials.
The 21-year-old McLeod, who is the US college 60-metre indoor sprint champion, was overjoyed as he shattered his personal best time of 13.21 seconds by 0.24 seconds to take the world leading time over France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (13.06).
“It is just a scintillating feeling,” he said. “I am tremendously happy with my performance. I knew once I had the perfect wind I knew I could run under 13 seconds.
“It was great to do it right here in front of my home crowd.”
Olympic Games bronze medallist Hansle Parchment was second in 13.08 seconds, while Commonwealth Games champion Andrew Riley was third in 13.25 seconds.
McLeod said he is now getting set for Beijing in August where he will compete in the 2015 World Championships. He plans to prepare for Beijing by competing in the Diamond League circuit of events.
For the first time Jamaica will have two women who are automatic qualifiers in the 800 metres at a global championship after NCAA champion Natoya Goule (1:59.63) and Simoya Campbell (1:59.92) both ran personal best times. Kimarra McDonald was third in 2:02.08.
