clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Usain Bolt wins race in Warsaw, ends 2014 season early

Elite Jamaican runner finished 100-meter race in 9.98 seconds, then withdrew from the upcoming Diamond League meeting in Zurich.

Buda Mendes

Usain Bolt won the men's 100-meter race with a time of 9.98 seconds at Saturday's Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Warsaw.

The elite Jamaican runner's feat at Warsaw's National Stadium marked one of a handful of appearances at racing events this year. Bolt, who suffered a foot injury earlier this season, had intended to use Warsaw as a springboard for the Diamond League meeting in Zurich later this week.

But according to the Associated Press, Bolt has withdrawn from Zurich. Organizers there said on Sunday that Bolt would no longer be participating in the 100-meter race. Diamond League representatives also confirmed the Olympic champion would not participate in any other racing events during the 2014 season.

Per the official statement, the world record-holder's coach Glen Mills "feels it is now time to shut it down while [Bolt] is healthy and injury free with a view on his preparations for the 2015 season."

This season hasn't been an impressive one for Bolt. Aside from the win in Warsaw and two others, the 4x100 relay at the Commonwealth Games and an exhibition race in Rio de Janero, the Jamaican runner has no other titles under his belt this year. The Diamond League meeting would've been the fourth and final one of 2014.

Bolt is right to take himself out for the rest of the season to recover. Officials in Zurich acknowledged this, but some worry the event will suffer due to the star's absence. Meet director Patrick Magyar and others quickly dismissed such concerns, insisting that Bolt is "not a machine" and that they respect and support his team's decision.

Now all eyes are on Bolt's plans for his 2015 season, which include the 15th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Beijing. This will mark his first trip back to the Beijing National Stadium, or "Bird's Nest," where he won three gold medals and set several world records in the 2008 Olympic games.

Check out the video below for Bolt's 9.98-second run in Warsaw.