by Sho Wills

Track star Usain Bolt has revealed that he suffered a hamstring injury last week. Bolt is expected to compete in the London Olympics, but will require rehabilitation in the meantime. Bolt's coach Glen Mills announced that the world record holder will sit out the Diamond League games this month to work on the injury, ”I have had withdraw him from the Diamond League meeting in Monaco on July 20 to give him sufficient time for treatment and time to train and prepare for the Olympic Games in London.” 

Bolt injured his hamstring last week in the Jamaican Olympic trials where he turned in an off-form performance. The three time gold medalist came in second to his training partner Yohan Blake in the 100 meter and 200 meter finals and did not look quite like himself. Some are even speculating that Bolt may have run both of the finals races injured, “I found Usain to be a bit labored (at the trials),” said American sprinter Tyson Gay, who will compete against Bolt in London. “He gave the impression that he was forcing it, which is unlike him.”

In regards to when his injury occurred, and how severe it may be, Bolt and his handlers have been tight lipped. The one piece of information that they have revealed is that Bolt is currently in London working with celebrity sports doctor, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt. Bolt has regularly worked with the German doctor for the last two years, in both rehab session and regular maintenance visits, so his visit is not necessarily a cause for alarm or an indication of the severity of the injury.

Bolt, however, does have an important rehab process ahead of him. According to experts hamstring injuries must be rehabbed dutifully. "The hamstring is a major player in speed," explains Dr. Clifford Stark, Medical Director at Sports Medison at Chelsae."[The hamstring] crosseses two joints, the knee and the hip, when it's injured it goes into spasm which can really throw off running mechanics."

The men’s Olympic 100 meters will occur on August fourth and fifth, the 200 meters on August sixth and seventh giving Bolt about five weeks to recover.  Dr. Stark said he beleieved it to be possible the 6'4 210 pound runner would be ready to participate in London, "with most severities of hamstring injuries the chances are they'd be largely improved with in [the amont of time Bolt has], the issue is the training he may have to miss to rehab." 

Bolt, himself, seems unfazed by all of it. “I’m never worried until my coach gets worried, and my coach isn’t worried, so I’m OK.” said the sprinter sounding optimistic.

When at 100 percent, Bolt has been the world's premier sprinter. After losing to Yohan Blake twice in the Jamaican trials, Bolt is looking to turn Blake into a seat warmer and reclaim his throne as Jamaica top sprinter. Bolt will also be looking to repeat his astounding triple gold medal performance from 2008 in London this year.

The 2012 Summer Olympics will begin at Olympic stadium in London on July 27th.