adminGLASGOW — The Commonwealth Games got its superstar on Saturday when Usain Bolt flew into Glasgow.
Bolt has not run this summer because of a foot injury but he says he is fit and will be competing beginning with the relay heats at the end of the week.It’s a big boost for the Games, which has lost Bolt’s great friend and fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, another of his pals, Mo Farah, and before that heptathlete Katarina Johnson- Thompson.
The athletics programme that opens today needs a bit of stardust and Bolt will provide that, even if he was a little less sparkly than usual on Saturday after just arriving from Jamaica.
Bolt, who has dominated world sprinting for the last six years, wants to run for his country in the sprint relay heats on Friday and the final the following day.
“I will be running in the heats. I need the runs. I need to get it going,” said Bolt.
“I have done a lot of training over this past month. I have been really pushing myself and I am in pretty good shape, but I am not yet in running shape, hence why I am running the heats.”
Bolt, who has never been to a Commonwealth Games, said he had always planned with his coach to be here.
“I got injured and we said we couldn’t make it for the trials for the individual but let’s make it for the 4x100m,” said Bolt.
“I was allowed to get into the team so that was good. Nobody has pulled out of these Games on purpose. It’s about injuries.”
And almost immediately after Bolt landed in Scotland, the level of hero worship afforded to him demonstrated just how important the sprint star’s participation is to the Commonwealth Games.
The Jamaican has never raced before at the Commonwealths, and his slow recovery from a foot injury had put this appearance in doubt.
Despite skipping the individual sprints, Bolt insists he will honour a commitment to enter the relay – both the heat and a probable final.
“I am here to run,’’ the six-time Olympic champion said on Saturday, fresh from the airport.
Bolt seemed affronted to be asked if there would be a late withdrawal like distance runner Mo Farah, who has the same management representation.
It was a rare probing inquiry at a news conference in Glasgow attended by many giddy reporters seemingly there to pay homage to the world’s fastest man, and leave with personal mementos. Even for a Bolt briefing, the level of sycophancy was high as futile attempts were made to present him with a kilt and pose for selfies. — The Daily Express
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