BOLT MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE, WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK

Usain Bolt fell to a rare defeat on Independence Day. Tyson Gay brought his ‘A’ game and Bolt, who had not lost in two years, was unable to bring his.
If you were paying attention Bolt complained after he won in Paris that when he ran in Paris and won in 9.82 that he had no power coming out of the blocks. It was also clear that he was unable to separate himself from the field that included former world record holder Asafa Powell and the very talented Yohan Blake.
Two weeks later Bolt shows up in Stockholm, the place where he last lost two years ago, not looking his best. In the qualifying heat, he struggled. The effort showed on his face. It was no longer effortless to eke out a 10.10s run over the 100metres. We know that when Bolt is in tip top shape he makes extraordinary times seem ordinary and while 10.10s is not going to win you medals at major championships, Bolt seemed to exert way too much just to be able to get by Trinidad’s Richard Thompson.
Tyson Gay, on the other hand, looked sharp and focussed in his heat. His winning time was a more impressive looking 10.02s.
As they lined up for the finals Bolt was not his usual playful self. He seemed tired, concerned, a little stressed. Two aborted starts didnt help. At the second one, Bolt rolled over onto his back. It seemed like he was being playful but in reality it could be that he just wanted to get this one out of the way so he could go get some sleep.
The last two weeks had been pretty busy for Bolt. Sumfest and Smirnoff Dream Weekend were on his entertainment calendar and from all reports he really enjoyed himself. I suppose somewhere in between he got some training in as well but not too much. This after all, is an ‘off’ season.
2008 and 2009 were stellar years from the sprint phenom, surely he deserves to take 2010 off, especially since 2011 and 2012 – two very important years to the Bolt legacy – loom ever closer.
So, when the race finally started Bolt was probably fighting fatigue as well as his lack of real conditioning. The whole world saw Bolt break poorly from the blocks but was only just behind Gay. But then what happened next might have been unexpected but it was inevitable. Injury and relatively poor conditioning this season came to bear as Bolt tried to ignite the thrusters. His face provided testimony to the effort he made to charge those afterburners but nothing happened. The machinery failed to fire and Bolt lost to Gay who pulled away to win in a new meet record 9.84s. Bolt was second in a relatively pedestrian 9.97s.
There was almost a stunned silence. Superman had found his kryptonite, Bolt had lost.
Fast forward to Tuesday this week when Bolt’s camp announced that he was ending his season after consulting with doctors in Germany.
Since the news broke some claimed Bolt was done, some said Tyson scared him into ending his season early, still others said Bolt parties too much and that is why he lost.
The doctor said Bolt is suffering from a tightness in his lower back which prevents him from generating power in his stride and that continuing on would put his hamstrings and calves at risk of injury.
That is why he pulled out of the season. The World Championships beckon in South Korea next summer and Bolt is aware of how important it is to be ready to defend his 100m and 200m titles there.
Why not take the rest of the season off, get the required treatment, get some rest and then resume his training in a month or two and prepare to cement his legacy as the greatest sprinter ever to walk the earth.
I mean, he lost one race. Once race and people are pushing the panic button, some the ‘hate’ button.
Bolt is looking to a future of great performances which the sport needs. He is also ensuring that his health comes before all else. Injuries are common in sport and sure many of us are disapppointed we wont be seeing Bolt for the remainder of the season, but I am sure we would prefer not to see him for the rest of 2010 once we are assured that we will see more great things from him in the years to come.
I do believe that Bolt is having similar thoughts.

Usain Bolt: Did what was in his best interest which is also in the best interest of the sport