Usain Bolt is determined to recover in time to compete at the Rio Olympics after injury forced him out of the Jamaican National Championships.

The 29-year-old sprinter, a six-time Olympic gold medallist and the reigning world champion in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, suffered a hamstring tear during the first round of Jamaica's senior trials in Kingston.

Bolt later released a statement on Twitter which read: "After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight I was examined by the chief doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a grade-one tear.

"I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio."

The Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) allows for medical exemptions if an athlete can show an injury denied a chance to compete at the trials but Bolt must also prove his fitness, meaning his performance in the Diamond League meeting in London could prove crucial to his hopes of selection.

In Bolt's absence the 100m final was won by 2011 world champion and London 2012 silver medallist Yohan Blake, who beat Nickel Ashmeade and Jevaughn Minzie to the line with a time of 9.95 seconds.

(The Independent)