By Natalee Ruddock, Trackalerts.com writer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two of the biggest names in track & field miss this summer’s Commonwealth Games. Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, the fastest and second fastest sprinters of all-time will not be in Glasgow.
Glen Mills, coach of both athletes, confirmed to TrackAlerts.com that none of the sprinters have entered for next week’s trials, which will be used to select Jamaica’s team for the Commonwealth Games, set for July 23 to August 3.
“They will not run at the trials,” said Mills while adding that’s all he could say for now.
Under JAAA rules, athletes must compete at the trials to be considered for selection to any team.
However, according to the JAAA, “an exemption can be granted” which is explained in below.
The JAAA selection criteria 3 stated: (a) “Subject to the proviso below, athletes placing in the 1st to 3rd positions in all events will be selected if they have attained the qualifying ’A’ standard for the event PROVIDED HOWEVER that in any event where any athlete has been granted an exemption from competing in that event at the National Championships under criteria (7) below the athlete so exempted may be considered for selection as an entrant for the event in the competition.
(b) “Where an athlete has been granted an exemption and the Selection Committee has determined that such an athlete should be selected among the entrants for the event that athlete shall be selected above the athlete placing third at the National Championships or in place of an athlete finishing in either of the first two places of the event where that athlete has been determined by a medical panel appointed by the JAAA to be ill or injured and not being in a satisfactory physical condition to warrant being entered to compete.
According to the above rules, Bolt would have to seek an exemption, which he has not done, at least up to today (20 June).
Bolt has yet to touch the track in 2014 while Blake had a few races locally and two international meetings in Manchester, England and New York.
Earlier this month, Bolt announced his withdrawal from the Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic on 17 and Paris Diamond League on July 5.
"I hope to be back in competition soon, but how soon will depend on my training in the next few weeks,” said the 27-year-old two-time Olympic Games sprint double champion.
Bolt, who also won five individual World Championships titles between 2009 and 2013, added, "It is important for me to take my time this year as I have three tough years ahead.”
He was referring to the World Championships in 2015 and 2017 and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
