Jamaica&#39;s Usain Bolt has lost one of his nine Olympic gold medals and his perfect triple treble of Games&#39; sprint victories after team mate Nesta Carter was found guilty of doping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Carter was found to have taken the prohibited substance methylhexaneamine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said, meaning Jamaica&#39;s 4x100 metres relay team must give back their gold medals.

Bolt is considered one of the greatest sprinters of all time, having won an unprecedented treble of consecutive golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay in three straight Olympics.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s heartbreaking (the positive test) because over the years you&#39;ve worked hard to accumulate gold medals and work hard to be a champion... but it&#39;s just one of those things,&quot; Bolt said.

&quot;Things happen in life, so when it&#39;s confirmed or whatever, if I need to give back my gold medal I&#39;d have to give it back, it&#39;s not a problem for me.&quot; Trinidad and Tobago are set to be promoted to gold in the Beijing 4x100, in which Jamaica set a then world record, with Japan moving up to silver and fourth-placed Brazil earning bronze.

A reallocation of medals is subject to any further results from the IOC anti-doping retesting programme.

First-leg specialist Carter has been a vital member of Jamaica&#39;s dominant squad, helping the Caribbean island win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2011, 2013 and 2015 world championships. Carter returned a positive result in re-tests of samples from the Beijing Olympics for the prohibited stimulant methylhexaneamine, the IOC said.

Asafa Powell, who has himself served a six-month doping ban, and Michael Frater completed the Jamaica sprint team at the 2008 race. Nesta was unavailable to comment on Wednesday&#39;s IOC announcement, while Powell and Crater declined to comment.

&quot;The Jamaican team is disqualified from the men&rsquo;s 4x100m relay event. The corresponding medals, medallist pins and diplomas are withdrawn and shall be returned,&quot; the IOC said.

&quot;The (international athletics&#39; federation) IAAF is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence.&quot;

Methylhexanamine has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code prohibited list since 2004 although it was reclassified on the 2011 list as a &quot;specified substance&quot;. 
The IOC programme of revisiting samples uses developments in testing techniques to find traces of drugs that were undetectable in 2008 or at the London 2012 Games.

More than 100 athletes have so far tested positive in re-tests from the Beijing and the London Olympics.

(Reuters)

Nesta Carter was found to have taken a prohibited substance, meaning Jamaica's relay team must return their gold medal

Jamaica's Usain Bolt has lost one of his nine Olympic gold medals and his perfect triple treble of Games' sprint victories after team mate Nesta Carter was found guilty of doping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Carter was found to have taken the prohibited substance methylhexaneamine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said, meaning Jamaica's 4x100 metres relay team must give back their gold medals. Bolt is considered one of the greatest sprinters of all time, having won an unprecedented treble of consecutive golds in the 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay in three straight Olympics. "It's heartbreaking (the positive test) because over the years you've worked hard to accumulate gold medals and work hard to be a champion... but it's just one of those things," Bolt said. "Things happen in life, so when it's confirmed or whatever, if I need to give back my gold medal I'd have to give it back, it's not a problem for me." Trinidad and Tobago are set to be promoted to gold in the Beijing 4x100, in which Jamaica set a then world record, with Japan moving up to silver and fourth-placed Brazil earning bronze. A reallocation of medals is subject to any further results from the IOC anti-doping retesting programme. First-leg specialist Carter has been a vital member of Jamaica's dominant squad, helping the Caribbean island win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2011, 2013 and 2015 world championships. Carter returned a positive result in re-tests of samples from the Beijing Olympics for the prohibited stimulant methylhexaneamine, the IOC said. Asafa Powell, who has himself served a six-month doping ban, and Michael Frater completed the Jamaica sprint team at the 2008 race. Nesta was unavailable to comment on Wednesday's IOC announcement, while Powell and Crater declined to comment. "The Jamaican team is disqualified from the men’s 4x100m relay event. The corresponding medals, medallist pins and diplomas are withdrawn and shall be returned," the IOC said. "The (international athletics' federation) IAAF is requested to modify the results of the above-mentioned event accordingly and to consider any further action within its own competence." Methylhexanamine has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code prohibited list since 2004 although it was reclassified on the 2011 list as a "specified substance". The IOC programme of revisiting samples uses developments in testing techniques to find traces of drugs that were undetectable in 2008 or at the London 2012 Games. More than 100 athletes have so far tested positive in re-tests from the Beijing and the London Olympics. (Reuters)

Usain Bolt loses relay gold after Jamaica's Carter fails drug test

Nine-time gold medalist Usain Bolt said his only regret in his career is not being serious about his sport when he was younger, Reuters reported today.&nbsp;

&quot;When I look back the only real thing I think I would change was to have got more serious more quickly,&quot; Bolt said.&nbsp;

&quot;I was relying more on my talent. If I&rsquo;d got more serious I think I would have done a lot more in my career. It&#39;s shocking but it&rsquo;s true. Maybe if I&rsquo;d started younger I&rsquo;d have had four Olympics.&quot;

The Jamaican sprinter&#39;s&nbsp;remarks came in just before he was awarded IAAF male Athlete of the Year for the sixth time. &nbsp;

&quot;The award is definitely a big deal, it proves all the hard work has paid off,&quot; Bolt said on being crowned Athelete of the Year.&nbsp;

Olympic 10,000 metres champion and world record holder Almaz Ayana won the award for in the women&#39;s category.&nbsp;

Bolt plans to retire in 2017 and will participate in the 100 metres race only in the world championships in London and will be going for his 12th and 13th world titles if he runs in the relay.&nbsp;

&quot;Next year is mainly for the fans,&quot; Bolt said adding &quot;It&#39;s a last opportunity for some people to see me run and a chance for me to say goodbye. I&#39;d like to go back to some of my favourite places to run, Ostrava, Lausanne, maybe Paris.&quot;

Bolt&#39;s favourite race till date remains the 200 metres race in the world junior championship he won&nbsp;in Jamaica when he was 15.&nbsp;

&quot;That was special,&quot; he said. &quot;That was the beginning. Jamaica 2002, where it all began. That was the biggest step.&quot;

But his defeat in the 2007 Osaka world championship&nbsp;was his real wake-up call and he strived to work harder.&nbsp;

No comeback&nbsp;

&quot;After I lost I remember going to my coach saying, &#39;I really tried my best but what can I do to win because I really need to win?&rsquo;,&quot; Bolt explained.

&quot;He said: &#39;You&#39;re slacking off in the gym. If you want to win you have to get stronger.&rsquo; So I was like &lsquo;alright&rsquo;. I knew what I needed to do and from then I took the step and just worked and worked.&quot;

When asked if he would ever make a comeback, Bolt said &quot;Oh no,&quot; he said. &quot;My coach said, &#39;Do not retire and come back, don&#39;t ever do that&#39;.

&quot;It&rsquo;s a bit different for swimming but for most track and field athletes it never goes well,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

'I was relying more on my talent. If I?d got more serious I think I would have done a lot more... It's shocking but it?s true,' he said

Nine-time gold medalist Usain Bolt said his only regret in his career is not being serious about his sport when he was younger, Reuters reported today. "When I look back the only real thing I think I would change was to have got more serious more quickly," Bolt said. "I was relying more on my talent. If I’d got more serious I think I would have done a lot more in my career. It's shocking but it’s true. Maybe if I’d started younger I’d have had four Olympics." The Jamaican sprinter's remarks came in just before he was awarded IAAF male Athlete of the Year for the sixth time. "The award is definitely a big deal, it proves all the hard work has paid off," Bolt said on being crowned Athelete of the Year. Olympic 10,000 metres champion and world record holder Almaz Ayana won the award for in the women's category. Bolt plans to retire in 2017 and will participate in the 100 metres race only in the world championships in London and will be going for his 12th and 13th world titles if he runs in the relay. "Next year is mainly for the fans," Bolt said adding "It's a last opportunity for some people to see me run and a chance for me to say goodbye. I'd like to go back to some of my favourite places to run, Ostrava, Lausanne, maybe Paris." Bolt's favourite race till date remains the 200 metres race in the world junior championship he won in Jamaica when he was 15. "That was special," he said. "That was the beginning. Jamaica 2002, where it all began. That was the biggest step." But his defeat in the 2007 Osaka world championship was his real wake-up call and he strived to work harder. No comeback "After I lost I remember going to my coach saying, 'I really tried my best but what can I do to win because I really need to win?’," Bolt explained. "He said: 'You're slacking off in the gym. If you want to win you have to get stronger.’ So I was like ‘alright’. I knew what I needed to do and from then I took the step and just worked and worked." When asked if he would ever make a comeback, Bolt said "Oh no," he said. "My coach said, 'Do not retire and come back, don't ever do that'. "It’s a bit different for swimming but for most track and field athletes it never goes well," he added. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Bolt: I could have won more if I'd got serious

Usain Bolt is set to race in Australia for the first time in his career after it was confirmed the nine-times Olympic gold medallist will take part in the inaugural edition of the Nitro Summer Series in February.

The 30-year-old is likely to earn upwards of $1 million for his appearance, according to local media reports.

Bolt has already said he plans to retire from the sport after the August 5-13 world championships in London.

The Jamaican won three gold medals during this year&#39;s Rio Games to equal distance-runner Paavo Nurmi and American sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis as the most successful Olympic track and field athletes.

Bolt&#39;s fierce American rival Justin Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, has also been linked with the Nitro Series.

(Reuters)

Bolt is likely to earn upwards of $1 million for his appearance at the inaugural edition of the Nitro Summer Series in February

Usain Bolt is set to race in Australia for the first time in his career after it was confirmed the nine-times Olympic gold medallist will take part in the inaugural edition of the Nitro Summer Series in February. The 30-year-old is likely to earn upwards of $1 million for his appearance, according to local media reports. Bolt has already said he plans to retire from the sport after the August 5-13 world championships in London. The Jamaican won three gold medals during this year's Rio Games to equal distance-runner Paavo Nurmi and American sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis as the most successful Olympic track and field athletes. Bolt's fierce American rival Justin Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, has also been linked with the Nitro Series. (Reuters)

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt set to race in Australia for first time

As he blazes through the Rio Games aiming for his historic third batch of three sprint gold medals, Jamaica&#39;s Usain Bolt has been clear this is his last time on the Olympic track, where he feels he has nothing left to prove. 
 
Bolt, the most famous Jamaican since Bob Marley, has repeatedly declined to say what he will do after he hangs up his spikes. Unlike the reggae great, who died of cancer at 36, Bolt has the option of planning his next career move. 
 
With his 30th birthday on Sunday, Bolt should have a long second career ahead of him and a lot of people, from his sponsor Puma to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, want a say in his plans. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s important to use the fame and the achievement of Usain Bolt for the benefit of Jamaica. It does open doors,&quot; Holness told the BBC during a brief visit to Rio on Monday. 
 
Holness said he would have a seat in his cabinet ready for Bolt&#39;s 1.96 metre (6&#39;5&quot;) frame, if the athlete would accept. 
 
&quot;Usain Bolt could be minister of anything he wants,&quot; he said. 
 
Bolt would be far from the first Olympian to make the jump into politics. 
 
Former New York Knicks player Bill Bradley, a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team, served 18 years in the U.S. Senate after retiring from competition. 
 
Fellow Rio competitor Wesley Korir is on a break as a member of Kenya&#39;s parliament to run Sunday&#39;s Olympic marathon. 
 
Bolt has not said if he would consider the post, and in any case has committed to run at next year&#39;s World Championships before bowing out from competition. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t know what I am going to do, you just stress me out,&quot; Bolt told reporters in the early hours of Friday after winning the 200 metres. 
 
The only thing he would rule out was coaching. 
 
&quot;I want to stay in the sport, I want to stay around the sport,&quot; he said. &quot;We will see what happens. Definitely not as a coach though.&quot; 
 
&#39;INSPIRATION&#39; 
 
Some among the thousands of fans who turned out on Friday to see him race in the 4x100m relay, the final leg of his &#39;triple triple&#39; said they did not much care what he did next, so long as he continued to create goodwill for the country. 
 
&quot;He&#39;s been such an inspiration to Jamaican kids, showing them they can be so much more,&quot; said Charles Russell, a 32-year-old from Kingston. &quot;He should do whatever it is he wants to do. He&#39;s earned it.&quot; 
 
George Freeman, 54, who was born in Kingston and now lives in Miami, said that Bolt had done much to improve Jamaica&#39;s profile on the world stage. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a small country with limited resources. To be number one in something in special,&quot; Freeman said. 
 
&quot;He has done a lot of good things for Jamaica. Whatever he does, I hope he continues to make a lot money and do a lot of good things for Jamaica.&quot; 
 
Bolt has already built the beginnings of a business empire, including sports bar Tracks &amp; Records in the Jamaican capital. 
 
He has also toyed publicly, though not with much seriousness, with continuing as an athlete in another sport, perhaps cricket or soccer. 
 
German sportswear firm Puma, which has sponsored Bolt for half his life, hopes to lure him into a job, Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden told reporters just before the Games. 
 
&quot;Usain is part of the Puma family,&quot; Gulden said. 
 
&quot;If he decides not to run, we will probably work even closer with him.&quot; 
 
Regardless of what he does next, the charismatic Jamaican has clearly been relishing his last Olympic performance, smiling broadly as he barrels toward the finish line. 
 
&quot;I just wanted to say goodbye.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

He has so far declined to announce what he will do after he hangs up his spikes

As he blazes through the Rio Games aiming for his historic third batch of three sprint gold medals, Jamaica's Usain Bolt has been clear this is his last time on the Olympic track, where he feels he has nothing left to prove. Bolt, the most famous Jamaican since Bob Marley, has repeatedly declined to say what he will do after he hangs up his spikes. Unlike the reggae great, who died of cancer at 36, Bolt has the option of planning his next career move. With his 30th birthday on Sunday, Bolt should have a long second career ahead of him and a lot of people, from his sponsor Puma to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, want a say in his plans. "It's important to use the fame and the achievement of Usain Bolt for the benefit of Jamaica. It does open doors," Holness told the BBC during a brief visit to Rio on Monday. Holness said he would have a seat in his cabinet ready for Bolt's 1.96 metre (6'5") frame, if the athlete would accept. "Usain Bolt could be minister of anything he wants," he said. Bolt would be far from the first Olympian to make the jump into politics. Former New York Knicks player Bill Bradley, a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team, served 18 years in the U.S. Senate after retiring from competition. Fellow Rio competitor Wesley Korir is on a break as a member of Kenya's parliament to run Sunday's Olympic marathon. Bolt has not said if he would consider the post, and in any case has committed to run at next year's World Championships before bowing out from competition. "I don't know what I am going to do, you just stress me out," Bolt told reporters in the early hours of Friday after winning the 200 metres. The only thing he would rule out was coaching. "I want to stay in the sport, I want to stay around the sport," he said. "We will see what happens. Definitely not as a coach though." 'INSPIRATION' Some among the thousands of fans who turned out on Friday to see him race in the 4x100m relay, the final leg of his 'triple triple' said they did not much care what he did next, so long as he continued to create goodwill for the country. "He's been such an inspiration to Jamaican kids, showing them they can be so much more," said Charles Russell, a 32-year-old from Kingston. "He should do whatever it is he wants to do. He's earned it." George Freeman, 54, who was born in Kingston and now lives in Miami, said that Bolt had done much to improve Jamaica's profile on the world stage. "It's a small country with limited resources. To be number one in something in special," Freeman said. "He has done a lot of good things for Jamaica. Whatever he does, I hope he continues to make a lot money and do a lot of good things for Jamaica." Bolt has already built the beginnings of a business empire, including sports bar Tracks & Records in the Jamaican capital. He has also toyed publicly, though not with much seriousness, with continuing as an athlete in another sport, perhaps cricket or soccer. German sportswear firm Puma, which has sponsored Bolt for half his life, hopes to lure him into a job, Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden told reporters just before the Games. "Usain is part of the Puma family," Gulden said. "If he decides not to run, we will probably work even closer with him." Regardless of what he does next, the charismatic Jamaican has clearly been relishing his last Olympic performance, smiling broadly as he barrels toward the finish line. "I just wanted to say goodbye." (Reuters)

Politics to Puma, Bolt considers his options

Usain Bolt won a third successive Olympic 200m gold on Thursday to keep alive his hopes of an unprecendented &quot;triple triple&quot; in Rio. 
 
The victory in his favoured event was Bolt&#39;s 13th individual world or Olympic sprint title from a possible 14 since he took athletics by storm at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 
 
The 29-year Jamaican timed 19.78 seconds for gold. Canadian Andre de Grasse took silver with 20.02sec and France&#39;s Christophe Lemaitre winning bronze (20.12). 
 
As Guns N`Roses&#39;&nbsp;&quot;Welcome to the Jungle&quot; blasted out, huge cheers greeted Bolt, wearing black lycra shorts and a singlet in the green, gold and black colours of Jamaica. 
 
The sell-out Olympic Stadium crowd, which has been criticised for its jeering of some athletes, were raucous in their welcome of the Jamaican star. 
 
The win means that Bolt can complete a third straight sweep of the sprint medals on Friday in the 4x100m contest when Jamaica start as favourites. The so-called &#39;triple triple&#39;&nbsp;would see him leave the Olympic stage as an undisputed great. 
 
Bolt, in his favoured lane six, had Lashawn Merritt, the American 400m specialist and sole US medal hope after Justin Gatlin failed to make the eight-man final, just inside him in Thursday`s final. 
 
Immediately out of the blocks, the Jamaican was quickly up on Lemaitre, racing in seven. 
 
With the temperature around 27 degrees Celsius (84F) and the track shining after a light rain shower, Bolt delivered electrifying control around the bend, hitting the back stretch in full tilt. 
 
As the crowd roared, Bolt responded by moving into his famed &quot;drive phase&quot;, head coming slowly up as part of the process that unleashes the full power from his long legs. 
 
Eyes glued on the stadium&#39;s big screen at the end of the 100m track, Bolt blasted through the line with a glance leftwards at the giant stopwatch, beating his chest and saying &quot;number one&quot;. 
 
There had been no easing up, but Bolt looked to be left disappointed with his time, ripping the numbers off his shorts and throwing them to the floor. 
 
&quot;No, I can`t grasp what I&#39;ve achieved, definitely not,&quot; said Bolt. 
 
&quot;You work so hard for years and then you just hope it pays off. It is a brilliant feeling.&quot; 
 
Bolt admitted that he hadn&#39;t felt great down the back stretch, timing what was the slowest 200m of all his individual victories. 
 
&quot;I wasn&#39;t happy with the time,&quot; he acknowledged. &quot;My body just wouldn&#39;t respond in the straight. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m getting older and my body is ageing. Personally I think this is my last 200 but my coach may beg to differ.&quot; 
 
Any disappointment was quickly forgotten on the track as Guns N&#39;Roses was switched for Bob Marley&#39;s &quot;One Love&quot;. Bolt, draped in Brazilian and Jamaican flags, did a lap of honour to chants of &quot;Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt!&quot; after another amazing victory and eighth Olympic gold. 
 
(AFP)

The victory in his favoured event was the 29-year-old Jamaican's 13th individual world or Olympic sprint title from a possible 14

Usain Bolt won a third successive Olympic 200m gold on Thursday to keep alive his hopes of an unprecendented "triple triple" in Rio. The victory in his favoured event was Bolt's 13th individual world or Olympic sprint title from a possible 14 since he took athletics by storm at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 29-year Jamaican timed 19.78 seconds for gold. Canadian Andre de Grasse took silver with 20.02sec and France's Christophe Lemaitre winning bronze (20.12). As Guns N`Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" blasted out, huge cheers greeted Bolt, wearing black lycra shorts and a singlet in the green, gold and black colours of Jamaica. The sell-out Olympic Stadium crowd, which has been criticised for its jeering of some athletes, were raucous in their welcome of the Jamaican star. The win means that Bolt can complete a third straight sweep of the sprint medals on Friday in the 4x100m contest when Jamaica start as favourites. The so-called 'triple triple' would see him leave the Olympic stage as an undisputed great. Bolt, in his favoured lane six, had Lashawn Merritt, the American 400m specialist and sole US medal hope after Justin Gatlin failed to make the eight-man final, just inside him in Thursday`s final. Immediately out of the blocks, the Jamaican was quickly up on Lemaitre, racing in seven. With the temperature around 27 degrees Celsius (84F) and the track shining after a light rain shower, Bolt delivered electrifying control around the bend, hitting the back stretch in full tilt. As the crowd roared, Bolt responded by moving into his famed "drive phase", head coming slowly up as part of the process that unleashes the full power from his long legs. Eyes glued on the stadium's big screen at the end of the 100m track, Bolt blasted through the line with a glance leftwards at the giant stopwatch, beating his chest and saying "number one". There had been no easing up, but Bolt looked to be left disappointed with his time, ripping the numbers off his shorts and throwing them to the floor. "No, I can`t grasp what I've achieved, definitely not," said Bolt. "You work so hard for years and then you just hope it pays off. It is a brilliant feeling." Bolt admitted that he hadn't felt great down the back stretch, timing what was the slowest 200m of all his individual victories. "I wasn't happy with the time," he acknowledged. "My body just wouldn't respond in the straight. "I'm getting older and my body is ageing. Personally I think this is my last 200 but my coach may beg to differ." Any disappointment was quickly forgotten on the track as Guns N'Roses was switched for Bob Marley's "One Love". Bolt, draped in Brazilian and Jamaican flags, did a lap of honour to chants of "Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt!" after another amazing victory and eighth Olympic gold. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Usain Bolt wins third 200m gold

Usain Bolt will race the 200m final today after comfortably winning his semi-final, but there was no place for American rival Justin Gatlin as he failed to qualify. 
 
Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, tied up late in his semi-final, only finishing third in 20.13sec and missing out on one of the eight final berths. 
 
It was a different story for Bolt, however, who clocked a season`s best of 19.78sec in the next step on his quest for an unprecedented sprint &quot;triple triple&quot;. 
 
&quot;I wasn&#39;t fully surprised,&quot; Bolt said of Gatlin`s elimination.&nbsp;&quot;I thought he would have made it. But I could tell in the 100m he was feeling the pain and he was slowing down.&nbsp;It&#39;s just the fact you`re getting old. To double at a championship where the young guys are stepping up is really hard.&quot; 
 
The towering Jamaican eased up a full 40 metres from the line in his semi, to advance along with Canadian Andre De Grasse, setting a national record of 19.80sec as the second automatic qualifier. 
 
&quot;It means I&#39;m definitely on the right track,&quot; Bolt said.&nbsp;&quot;I felt energetic and everything was going smooth. Hopefully I&#39;ll get a top lane tomorrow,&quot; he said, adding his preference would be lane six or seven where the bend is not perceived to be too sharp.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s always better for me because I&#39;m taller.&quot; 
 
Bolt added that he felt his own world record of 19.19sec, set when winning the 2009 world title in Berlin, could be under threat. 
 
&quot;I definitely think I can try for the world record, I definitely feel that,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;But it&#39;s all about executing right, running the corner efficiently, then coming into the straight and just running the perfect race.&nbsp;I don&#39;t get over-confident, I&#39;ll come out and execute.&quot; 
 
Bolt joked that De Grasse pushing him through to the finish line was &quot;really unnecessary&quot;. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t know what he was trying to do. I told him to ease up but he wanted to run to the end. He had something to prove I guess. 
&quot;But he&#39;s a young kid and he`s great and he&#39;s got a lot of talent so I&#39;m looking forward to a great talent in the finals,&quot; he said. 
 
Bolt won a third successive 100m title on Sunday to set up his bid to repeat his haul of three gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay at both the Beijing and London Olympics in 2008 and 2012 respectively. 
 
Gatlin won silver behind Bolt in the 100m, but looked uncomfortable throughout his race. 
 
The US challenge will now fall to Lashawn Merritt, the 400m specialist who clocked 19.94sec to win his heat ahead of France&#39;s Christophe Lemaitre. 
 
Also qualifying for the final are Panama`s Alonso Edward, Briton Adam Gemeili, Azerbai-born Turk Ramil Guliyev and European champion Churandy Martina of the Netherlands. 
 
(Reuters)

Bolt clocked a season's best of 19.78 seconds in the next step on his quest for sprint 'triple triple'. Gatlin finished third

Usain Bolt will race the 200m final today after comfortably winning his semi-final, but there was no place for American rival Justin Gatlin as he failed to qualify. Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, tied up late in his semi-final, only finishing third in 20.13sec and missing out on one of the eight final berths. It was a different story for Bolt, however, who clocked a season`s best of 19.78sec in the next step on his quest for an unprecedented sprint "triple triple". "I wasn't fully surprised," Bolt said of Gatlin`s elimination. "I thought he would have made it. But I could tell in the 100m he was feeling the pain and he was slowing down. It's just the fact you`re getting old. To double at a championship where the young guys are stepping up is really hard." The towering Jamaican eased up a full 40 metres from the line in his semi, to advance along with Canadian Andre De Grasse, setting a national record of 19.80sec as the second automatic qualifier. "It means I'm definitely on the right track," Bolt said. "I felt energetic and everything was going smooth. Hopefully I'll get a top lane tomorrow," he said, adding his preference would be lane six or seven where the bend is not perceived to be too sharp. "It's always better for me because I'm taller." Bolt added that he felt his own world record of 19.19sec, set when winning the 2009 world title in Berlin, could be under threat. "I definitely think I can try for the world record, I definitely feel that," he said. "But it's all about executing right, running the corner efficiently, then coming into the straight and just running the perfect race. I don't get over-confident, I'll come out and execute." Bolt joked that De Grasse pushing him through to the finish line was "really unnecessary". "I don't know what he was trying to do. I told him to ease up but he wanted to run to the end. He had something to prove I guess. "But he's a young kid and he`s great and he's got a lot of talent so I'm looking forward to a great talent in the finals," he said. Bolt won a third successive 100m title on Sunday to set up his bid to repeat his haul of three gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay at both the Beijing and London Olympics in 2008 and 2012 respectively. Gatlin won silver behind Bolt in the 100m, but looked uncomfortable throughout his race. The US challenge will now fall to Lashawn Merritt, the 400m specialist who clocked 19.94sec to win his heat ahead of France's Christophe Lemaitre. Also qualifying for the final are Panama`s Alonso Edward, Briton Adam Gemeili, Azerbai-born Turk Ramil Guliyev and European champion Churandy Martina of the Netherlands. (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Bolt storms into 200m final, Gatlin fails to qualify

Usain Bolt roared into Olympic history here Sunday, capturing an unprecedented third consecutive 100m crown to confirm his place in the pantheon of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen.&nbsp; 
 
The 29-year-old Jamaican legend, competing in his final Olympics, powered over the line in 9.81seconds, vanquishing drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin who took silver, with Andre De Grasse of Canada claiming bronze. 
 
(AFP)

The 29-year-old Jamaican, competing in his final Olympics, scored a time of 9.81 seconds to beat drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin

Usain Bolt roared into Olympic history here Sunday, capturing an unprecedented third consecutive 100m crown to confirm his place in the pantheon of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. The 29-year-old Jamaican legend, competing in his final Olympics, powered over the line in 9.81seconds, vanquishing drug-tainted American rival Justin Gatlin who took silver, with Andre De Grasse of Canada claiming bronze. (AFP)

Rio Olympics 2016: Bolt makes history with third 100m gold

German sportswear firm Puma is not worried about the possible imminent retirement of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the highest profile athlete it sponsors, believing Bolt could be just as valuable off the track. 
 
&quot;Usain is part of the Puma family,&quot; chief executive Bjorn Gulden told reporters today. &quot;If he decides not to run, we will probably work even closer with him,&quot; he said, adding Bolt would have more time for product development and could even take on a commercial role at Puma. 
 
Gulden made the comments after Puma reported a stronger-than-expected rise in second quarter sales, helped by the European soccer championships as well as popular women&#39;s products endorsed by singer Rihanna and celebrity Kylie Jenner. 
 
Puma reported a quarterly net profit of 1.6 million Euros ($1.8 million), compared with a loss of 3.3 million a year ago. Sales rose 7 per cent to 827 million Euros, beating analysts&#39; average forecast of 819 million. Bigger rival Adidas is expected to report even stronger growth for the quarter on August 4, with a Thomson Reuters Smart Estimate suggesting a 13 per cent rise in sales. 
 
Puma shares pared earlier gains to trade up 0.3 per cent by 08:50 GMT, while owner Kering rose 2.4 per cent. Adidas, which has been hitting a series of record highs in anticipation of bumper results, was up 1.6 per cent. 
 
Gulden said it was not clear whether the six-time Olympic sprint champion, who has been sponsored by Puma since he was 15 years old, would keep running after the upcoming Rio Olympics, saying Bolt might need time off to think about it. 
 
Gulden said the Jamaican was already helping Puma hunt for a successor, adding the company has a strong scouting operating in the Caribbean, &quot;We have to admit there won&#39;t be a second Usain but there will be something else,&quot; he said. 
 
While Bolt is Puma&#39;s highest profile athlete and the Olympics a major platform for the brand, Gulden said it was hard to measure a direct impact on sales as fans do not buy replica team shirts in the same way they do for sports like soccer. 
 
Quarterly sales grew fastest in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, up a currency-adjusted 23.5 per cent, boosted by Puma&#39;s sponsorship of five national soccer teams at Euro 2016, including Italy, plus players like top scorer Antoine Griezmann of France and Portugal goal keeper Rui Patricio. 
 
While sales of replica team shirts started already last November, Gulden said he was optimistic of a boost to soccer shoe sales when youngsters fired up by Euro 2016 start back at school. 
 
Gulden said Puma&#39;s partnerships with Rihanna and Jenner were helping it win more space at key retailers, which are all putting more focus on the women&#39;s business because it is growing faster than the men&#39;s. 
 
The firm confirmed it expects sales to grow by a high single-digit percentage this year, with gross profit margin remaining flat from last year&#39;s 45.5 per cent and operating earnings between 115 million and 125 million Euros. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Chief executive Bjorn Gulden said that should Usain retire after Rio, he would have more time for product development

German sportswear firm Puma is not worried about the possible imminent retirement of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the highest profile athlete it sponsors, believing Bolt could be just as valuable off the track. "Usain is part of the Puma family," chief executive Bjorn Gulden told reporters today. "If he decides not to run, we will probably work even closer with him," he said, adding Bolt would have more time for product development and could even take on a commercial role at Puma. Gulden made the comments after Puma reported a stronger-than-expected rise in second quarter sales, helped by the European soccer championships as well as popular women's products endorsed by singer Rihanna and celebrity Kylie Jenner. Puma reported a quarterly net profit of 1.6 million Euros ($1.8 million), compared with a loss of 3.3 million a year ago. Sales rose 7 per cent to 827 million Euros, beating analysts' average forecast of 819 million. Bigger rival Adidas is expected to report even stronger growth for the quarter on August 4, with a Thomson Reuters Smart Estimate suggesting a 13 per cent rise in sales. Puma shares pared earlier gains to trade up 0.3 per cent by 08:50 GMT, while owner Kering rose 2.4 per cent. Adidas, which has been hitting a series of record highs in anticipation of bumper results, was up 1.6 per cent. Gulden said it was not clear whether the six-time Olympic sprint champion, who has been sponsored by Puma since he was 15 years old, would keep running after the upcoming Rio Olympics, saying Bolt might need time off to think about it. Gulden said the Jamaican was already helping Puma hunt for a successor, adding the company has a strong scouting operating in the Caribbean, "We have to admit there won't be a second Usain but there will be something else," he said. While Bolt is Puma's highest profile athlete and the Olympics a major platform for the brand, Gulden said it was hard to measure a direct impact on sales as fans do not buy replica team shirts in the same way they do for sports like soccer. Quarterly sales grew fastest in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, up a currency-adjusted 23.5 per cent, boosted by Puma's sponsorship of five national soccer teams at Euro 2016, including Italy, plus players like top scorer Antoine Griezmann of France and Portugal goal keeper Rui Patricio. While sales of replica team shirts started already last November, Gulden said he was optimistic of a boost to soccer shoe sales when youngsters fired up by Euro 2016 start back at school. Gulden said Puma's partnerships with Rihanna and Jenner were helping it win more space at key retailers, which are all putting more focus on the women's business because it is growing faster than the men's. The firm confirmed it expects sales to grow by a high single-digit percentage this year, with gross profit margin remaining flat from last year's 45.5 per cent and operating earnings between 115 million and 125 million Euros. (Reuters)

Puma not worried by Bolt retirement, believes he will be as valuable off track

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt brushed aside concerns surrounding his fitness ahead of next month&#39;s Rio Olympics as he cruised to victory in the 200 metres at the London Anniversary Games. 
 
The six-time Olympic gold medallist showed no signs of rust, winning the race in 19.89 seconds in his return following a pelvic injury, the Mirror reported. 
 
The world&#39;s fastest man will aim to become the first person to win the 100 metre and 200 metre double at three consecutive Games when he will feature in the Rio Olympics.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

Usain Bolt, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, won the race in 19.89 seconds in his return following a pelvic injury

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt brushed aside concerns surrounding his fitness ahead of next month's Rio Olympics as he cruised to victory in the 200 metres at the London Anniversary Games. The six-time Olympic gold medallist showed no signs of rust, winning the race in 19.89 seconds in his return following a pelvic injury, the Mirror reported. The world's fastest man will aim to become the first person to win the 100 metre and 200 metre double at three consecutive Games when he will feature in the Rio Olympics. (ANI)

Bolt quashes fitness concerns, cruises to 200m victory in London

Usain Bolt delivered on his top billing by winning the 200 metres at the London Diamond League on Friday but the Jamaican was upstaged for once as American sprint hurdler Kendra Harrison broke one of the oldest world records in the book. 
 
Bolt, running his first 200 metre race in a year since his last outing on the track before the Olympics, struggled for his usual rhythm as he laboured to victory in 19.89 seconds. 
 
However, having pulled out of the Jamaican trials last month with a hamstring strain, he was delighted to get through Friday&rsquo;s race uninjured and can now go away and fine-tune for his attempt at the triple-triple of 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds in Rio. 
 
Harrison, however, will be watching the Games on TV having finished sixth in the 100m hurdles at the US trials after breaking the national record in May. 
 
She earned some consolation - as well as a $50,000 bonus - on Friday with a stunning world record. 
 
After delivering a silky smooth performance to win, the clock initially showed a modest 12.58 seconds. 
 
However, it was quickly corrected to 12.20, one hundredth of a second faster than the mark set by Bulgaria&#39;s Yordanka Donkova in 1988 - four years before Harrison was born. 
 
Brianna Rollins (12.57), Kristi Castlin (12.59) and Ali Nia (12.63), all Rio-bound after finishing 1-2-3 in the US trials, finished in the same order, behind Harrison on Friday. 
 
&quot;I wanted to come out here with a vengeance to show that even though I won&#39;t be going to the Olympics I had to give it all I had,&quot; said Harrison, who collapsed to the track in tears when she saw the revised time. 
 
There was a more muted celebration for Bolt, who nevertheless delighted the crowd by winning then spending his usual remarkable amount of time signing autographs, posing for photos and giving endless media interviews. 
 
After a steady start he led halfway round the bend, but only just. As he hit the straight and the crowd expected the sort of surge that brought him three Olympic golds on the same track four years ago, it didn&rsquo;t happen. 
 
Rocking noticeably, he had to work all the way to the line, for a time considerably shy of American LaShawn Merritt&#39;s season-leading 19.74. Panama&#39;s Edward Alonso was second in 20.04 with Briton Adam Gemili third in 20.07. 
 
&quot;I tried to hold my form. I&#39;m not fully in shape and I don&rsquo;t think I executed well - I need more work,&quot; said Bolt, who turns 30 next month. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t want to see it again. I wasn&#39;t that impressed,&quot; he added of his performance. 
 
&quot;But I&#39;m feeling good and happy I could run and finish the race without any injuries.&quot; 
 
Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas will also head to Rio in confident mood after posting a world-leading 49.55 to win the women&#39;s 400 metres, setting up a mouth-watering one-lap showdown with Allyson Felix. 
 
There was plenty to cheer for the home fans in the Olympic Stadium now decked out in the claret and blue of its new tenants, West Ham United soccer club. 
 
Britain&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s 4x100m relay team opened proceedings by triumphing in a national record 41.82 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. 
 
Laura Muir also channelled the spirit of 2012&#39;s &quot;Super Saturday&quot; when the crowd roared her home in a gutsy front-running victory in the women&rsquo;s 1500m for a huge personal best and another British record of 3:57.49 &ndash; knocking Olympic champion Kelly Holmes off top spot. 
 
Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut won a disappointing 100 metres final in 10.02, having been the only man to dip under 10 seconds with a 9.96 in the heats. 
 
The action continues on Saturday, with the day&rsquo;s highlight being the 5,000m, featuring home favourite Mo Farah. 
 
(Reuters)

American sprint hurdler Kendra Harrison broke one of the oldest world records in the book though she has not qualified for the Olympic Games

Usain Bolt delivered on his top billing by winning the 200 metres at the London Diamond League on Friday but the Jamaican was upstaged for once as American sprint hurdler Kendra Harrison broke one of the oldest world records in the book. Bolt, running his first 200 metre race in a year since his last outing on the track before the Olympics, struggled for his usual rhythm as he laboured to victory in 19.89 seconds. However, having pulled out of the Jamaican trials last month with a hamstring strain, he was delighted to get through Friday’s race uninjured and can now go away and fine-tune for his attempt at the triple-triple of 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds in Rio. Harrison, however, will be watching the Games on TV having finished sixth in the 100m hurdles at the US trials after breaking the national record in May. She earned some consolation - as well as a $50,000 bonus - on Friday with a stunning world record. After delivering a silky smooth performance to win, the clock initially showed a modest 12.58 seconds. However, it was quickly corrected to 12.20, one hundredth of a second faster than the mark set by Bulgaria's Yordanka Donkova in 1988 - four years before Harrison was born. Brianna Rollins (12.57), Kristi Castlin (12.59) and Ali Nia (12.63), all Rio-bound after finishing 1-2-3 in the US trials, finished in the same order, behind Harrison on Friday. "I wanted to come out here with a vengeance to show that even though I won't be going to the Olympics I had to give it all I had," said Harrison, who collapsed to the track in tears when she saw the revised time. There was a more muted celebration for Bolt, who nevertheless delighted the crowd by winning then spending his usual remarkable amount of time signing autographs, posing for photos and giving endless media interviews. After a steady start he led halfway round the bend, but only just. As he hit the straight and the crowd expected the sort of surge that brought him three Olympic golds on the same track four years ago, it didn’t happen. Rocking noticeably, he had to work all the way to the line, for a time considerably shy of American LaShawn Merritt's season-leading 19.74. Panama's Edward Alonso was second in 20.04 with Briton Adam Gemili third in 20.07. "I tried to hold my form. I'm not fully in shape and I don’t think I executed well - I need more work," said Bolt, who turns 30 next month. "I don't want to see it again. I wasn't that impressed," he added of his performance. "But I'm feeling good and happy I could run and finish the race without any injuries." Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas will also head to Rio in confident mood after posting a world-leading 49.55 to win the women's 400 metres, setting up a mouth-watering one-lap showdown with Allyson Felix. There was plenty to cheer for the home fans in the Olympic Stadium now decked out in the claret and blue of its new tenants, West Ham United soccer club. Britain’s women’s 4x100m relay team opened proceedings by triumphing in a national record 41.82 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. Laura Muir also channelled the spirit of 2012's "Super Saturday" when the crowd roared her home in a gutsy front-running victory in the women’s 1500m for a huge personal best and another British record of 3:57.49 – knocking Olympic champion Kelly Holmes off top spot. Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut won a disappointing 100 metres final in 10.02, having been the only man to dip under 10 seconds with a 9.96 in the heats. The action continues on Saturday, with the day’s highlight being the 5,000m, featuring home favourite Mo Farah. (Reuters)

Harrison breaks 28-year record as Bolt overcomes injury to head to Rio

Sprint king Usain Bolt was named to the Jamaican Olympic team in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m races despite an injury that kept him from qualifying at trials, the Jamaican Olympic Association said on Monday. 
 
The six-time Olympic gold medallist was forced to withdraw from his country&#39;s trials earlier this month with a hamstring injury but was allowed on Jamaica&#39;s team headed to the Rio Summer Games after applying for a medical exemption. 
 
The inclusion of the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m on the Rio-bound Jamaican team came a day after Bolt posted a photograph from Germany of himself back in training. 
 
Unlike in the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica&#39;s selection policy allows medical exemptions. 
 
The Jamaican roster was submitted ahead of the July 18 deadline for preliminary entries but final changes to the track and field team can be made up to August 10. 
 
Since Bolt was granted a medical exemption that allows him to be added to the team, he still needs to prove his fitness by the next Diamond League meeting in London on July 22, where he recently said he would run the 200m. 
 
The full 63-member Jamaican contingent consists of 59 track and field athletes, including two-time defending Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, two swimmers, one gymnast and one diver. 
 
Others receiving medical exemptions are Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment, world 200m bronze medallist Elaine Thompson, and 400m hurdler Janeive Russell. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Usain Bolt is named to the Jamaican team despite having dropped out of the trials because of a hamstring injury

Sprint king Usain Bolt was named to the Jamaican Olympic team in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m races despite an injury that kept him from qualifying at trials, the Jamaican Olympic Association said on Monday. The six-time Olympic gold medallist was forced to withdraw from his country's trials earlier this month with a hamstring injury but was allowed on Jamaica's team headed to the Rio Summer Games after applying for a medical exemption. The inclusion of the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m on the Rio-bound Jamaican team came a day after Bolt posted a photograph from Germany of himself back in training. Unlike in the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions. The Jamaican roster was submitted ahead of the July 18 deadline for preliminary entries but final changes to the track and field team can be made up to August 10. Since Bolt was granted a medical exemption that allows him to be added to the team, he still needs to prove his fitness by the next Diamond League meeting in London on July 22, where he recently said he would run the 200m. The full 63-member Jamaican contingent consists of 59 track and field athletes, including two-time defending Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, two swimmers, one gymnast and one diver. Others receiving medical exemptions are Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment, world 200m bronze medallist Elaine Thompson, and 400m hurdler Janeive Russell. (Reuters)

World's fastest man will run in the Olympics

Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica&#39;s Olympic trials on Friday but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month. 
 
Bolt withdrew from the final of the men&#39;s 100 metres after Friday night&#39;s semi-finals as Yohan Blake went on to win the trial in 9.95 seconds. 
 
&quot;After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semi-final tonight (Friday) I was examined by the chief doctor of the national championships and diagnosed with a grade 1 tear,&quot; Bolt said on his official Facebook account. 
 
&quot;I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships.&quot; 
 
&quot;I will seek treatment immediately and hope to be fit at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio,&quot; the two-time 100m and 200m Olympic gold medallist added. 
 
Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the semi-final one after a poor start. 
 
His withdrawal does not mean he would miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m titles. 
 
Unlike the United States, where the first three in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica&#39;s selection policy allows medical exemptions. 
 
His coach Glen Mills said that efforts were on since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday&#39;s semi-final and final. 
 
&quot;Hamstring injuries are always serious. The fact that he couldn&#39;t run, showed it is serious, but we&#39;ll see what happens between now and (the Olympics),&quot; Mills said at the trackside after another of his charge, Blake, won the trial. 
 
Bolt also posted a photo of receiving treatment on his Instagram page. 
 
(Reuters)

He will be able to prove his fitness for the Rio games at the London Anniversary Games later this month

Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica's Olympic trials on Friday but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month. Bolt withdrew from the final of the men's 100 metres after Friday night's semi-finals as Yohan Blake went on to win the trial in 9.95 seconds. "After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semi-final tonight (Friday) I was examined by the chief doctor of the national championships and diagnosed with a grade 1 tear," Bolt said on his official Facebook account. "I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships." "I will seek treatment immediately and hope to be fit at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio," the two-time 100m and 200m Olympic gold medallist added. Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win the semi-final one after a poor start. His withdrawal does not mean he would miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100m and 200m titles. Unlike the United States, where the first three in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions. His coach Glen Mills said that efforts were on since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday's semi-final and final. "Hamstring injuries are always serious. The fact that he couldn't run, showed it is serious, but we'll see what happens between now and (the Olympics)," Mills said at the trackside after another of his charge, Blake, won the trial. Bolt also posted a photo of receiving treatment on his Instagram page. (Reuters)

Bolt tears hamstring, drops out of final of Jamaica 100m Olympic trial

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