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Injured Bolt will miss rest of season

A back injury means that world and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will be out of action until 2011.
A back injury means that world and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will be out of action until 2011.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • World and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will not be back in action until 2011
  • The Jamaican has been advised to rest because of an injury to his lower back
  • Bolt looked below-par when beaten by rival Tyson Gay in the 100m in Stockholm
  • The news comes two days after 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin continued comeback

(CNN) -- World and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will not be back in action until 2011 because of an injury to his lower back.

Bolt, who looked below-par when beaten by rival Tyson Gay in the 100m in Stockholm last week, will now miss the lucrative Diamond League meetings in both Zurich and Brussels.

The Jamaican's representatives, PACE Sports Management, released a statement on their official website confirming the news.

"With a view to Usain's future career we believe further treatment to loosen his back followed by a period of rest will be in his best interests," said the statement.

I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year
--Usain Bolt
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Bolt himself released a statement adding: ""I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit -- Zurich and Brussels -- but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year.

"2011 and 2012 are very important championship years and I hope to be back fully fit and healthy. I would like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to coming back stronger next year."

Bolt came to the decision after being examined by top Munich specialist Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt on Monday, who found a "tightness that restricts his ability to generate power in his stride".

The news also comes just two days after the 2004 Olympic sprint champion, Justin Gatlin, continued his comeback from a four-year drugs suspension with victory in a Estonia.