Bolt Denies Promising to Run at 2010 CWC
Saying the opposite to what Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi claimed, three-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has denied making any commitment to run at the event in New Delhi next year.
In a major embarrassment for the organizers, Bolt’s manager Ricky Simms said that the world champion Jamaican has not made any promise as yet and will take a decision with regard to his participation in the event only next year.
“I’ve spoken to Glen Mills (Bolt’s coach) who confirmed that no decision will be made about Usain’s participation in the Commonwealth Games until May-June 2010 when he starts racing in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Diamond League,” Simms was quoted as saying by ‘Insidethegames.com, a sports website.
It may be mentioned that during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port of Spain, Kalmadi had claimed that Bolt, the world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres event, would definitely compete in the Delhi Games scheduled October 3 to 14 next year.
Kalmadi, who is under pressure from both the Indian Sports Ministry and the Commonwealth Games Federation to ensure a successful Games, has been insisting for quite some time that Bolt would be there in Delhi.
The Indian Olympic Association chairman is even looking for a sponsor to pay for Bolt’s expenses during his stay in India. But the 23-year-old star has been advised by the likes of four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson to go slow in 2010 before starting his build-up to the 2012 London Olympics.
