GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (Sporting Alert) — Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt will open his season at the 2nd Cayman Invitational at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
LIVE STREAM, Streaming, Live Results of The Cayman Invitational, Schedule and Start list
Bolt skipped the Jamaican International Invitational last week because of a minor hamstring problem but is now fit to go and he’s targeting a fast time.
American Tyson Gay opened his season with a world-leading 9.86 seconds at the Jamaica Invitational and Bolt will look to run close to that Wednesday night.
“I am definitely going to try running my fastest, pushing myself because I am feeling good,” he said.
“First race, 9.8 would be a very good start to the season.”
Bolt’s coach Glen Mills explained the reason the six-time Olympic gold medalist missed the Jamaica meet.
He said: “He has a grade one strain on one of his left hamstring muscles … A grade 1 strain does not involve a torn muscle, however, it has a slight swelling and some amount of pain.
“It is worse when he runs around the bend. He had the problem more than a week before the scheduled Jamaica Invitational.”
Joining the world record holder in the 100m field are training partner Antiguan Daniel Bailey, Jamaicans Kemar Bailey-Cole and Kimmari Roach and Cayman Island national record holder Kemar Hyman.
Meanwhile, American world champion Carmelita Jeter is the featured sprinter in the women’s race with a host of Jamaicans including Kerron Stewart, Deandre Whitehorne and Schillonie Calvert don to challenge her.
Like Bolt, Jeter also skipped the Jamaica Invitational due to injury.
“I feel good and this is my first 100m (of the season), so I just want to go out and compete and have a good time,” Jeter said.
Also coming at the Cayman Invitational are Lashawn Merritt of USA and Dominican Republic’s Luguelín Santos, who will race in the men’s 200m and 400m races, respectively.
Merritt moved down to race in the men’s 200m, while Santos will look to add to his victory at the Jamaica Invitational when he takes on a solid field in the 400m.
Elsewhere, USA’s Lashinda Demus races in the women’s 400m hurdles and faces Ristananna Tracey and Shevon Stoddart of Jamaica.
