Mills says Bolt fine for Manchester street race

Published: Wednesday | May 13, 2009



Bolt

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt has been confirmed to compete in the 150-metre Manchester street race in England, after recovering from a car crash which threatened to rule him out of the event on Sunday.

The 22-year-old triple Olympic gold medallist escaped serious injury when he crashed his BMW M3 two weeks ago, sustaining only minor abrasions to his feet when stepping on thorns after attempting to exit the wreck.

Ruled out of the Jamaica International that same weekend because of the crash, Bolt trained for the first time in running shoes on Monday and coach Glen Mills said he would be a certainty for Manchester.

"He looks ok and will be fine for Manchester," Mills said.

In a release sent on Monday, Bolt's agent Ricky Simms said the double world-record holder was looking forward to the event.

"(Bolt) resumed training on Friday following a car accident nine days earlier and made further progress over the weekend," Simms said.

Manchester United fan

"A keen Manchester United fan, Usain is looking forward to meeting the team in Manchester and being introduced to the crowd at the home game against Arsenal on Saturday.

"He will also attend the Manchester United Players Awards on Sunday night where he will present Fans' Player of the Year."

The race in Manchester will pit Bolt against England's Marlon Devonish, Mark Lewis-Francis and Simeon Williamson.

Jamaicans Mario Forsythe and Xavier Brown are also confirmed to race at the event.