Bolt declares himself ready for Jamaica Nationals

CMC

Saturday, June 20, 2009

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (CMC) - Jamaican sprint marvelUsain Bolt has declared himself ready for the Jamaica National Trackand Field Championship, after his fine win at the Ostrava Golden SpikeIAAF Grand Prix meeting on Wednesday.

Bolt recovered from a sluggish start to register ahandsome win in the 100 metres in a fast 9.77 seconds, aided by afollowing wind of 2.1 metres per second, slightly above the allowablelimit.

The triple Olympic gold medallist and Laureus Sportsmanof the Year caught up with the leaders as they entered the second halfof the race and quickened away from his rivals for a superb win.
"Now I'm really looking forward to the (Jamaican) trials," he said.

Bolt, who set a new 100-metre world record of 9.69seconds at the Beijing Olympics last summer, won ahead of Britain'sCraig Pickering (10.08) with Martinique-born Ronald Pognon (10.15)third.
Bolt, whose home in Kingston was broken into early Wednesday,is expected to contest the 100 and 200 metres at the Jamaica NationalChampionship at the National Stadium in Kingston next weekend.

Electronic equipment - including a laptop computer anddigital camera - valued at approximately US$1,000 - was taken from thestar sprinter's home.

The Jamaica National Championship will help pick teamsfor the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships inCuba from July 3-5 and the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany,from August 15-23.

More than 31 events are carded for the three-day Jamaica Nationals from June 26-28.