Usain Bolt Out For Rest Of Season With Back Injury

Usain Bolt has called time on his 2010 season because of a lower back injury.

Bolt ran in the Stockholm Diamond League on Friday night and was handed his first defeat in two years at the hands of American Tyson Gay over the 100m.

The world and Olympic champion was set to run at the Diamond League meetings u Zurich and Brussels over the next couple of weeks but has been advised to pull out by doctors.

PACE Sports Management posted a statement on their saying website said: "With a view to his future career we believe further treatment to loosen his back followed by a period of rest will be in his best interest.

"We are delighted to report that the MRI scan on his Achilles tendon showed that it has now completely healed."

Continuing to race could cause further injury and Bolt is keen to protect himself from serious injury as the World Championships and Olympic Games are on the horizon over the next couple of years.

"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," said Bolt.

"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 has also struggled with Achilles tendon issues this season and looked out of sorts during Friday night's race against Gay, despite this he still clocked a time of 9.97 seconds.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw