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Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has shed light on what prevented him from attending the Paris 2024 Olympics having promised his supporters that he would be among the fans.
Usain Bolt has revealed that an Achilles injury suffered in a charity match was behind his no-show at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Bolt, who retired after the 2017 London World Championships, was set to grace the Olympics in Paris as a fan, after missing the delayed 2020 Tokyo edition, but says his condition could not allow him.
The eight-time Olympics champion last competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics and did not watch live action in Tokyo but had promised to come along with his family to the French capital.
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11:04 - 29.10.2024
Usain Bolt reveals the proudest moment of his career, and it's not Olympics titles or world records
The fastest man to ever live, Usain Bolt has disclosed why his Junior World Championship in 2002 holds a dear place in his heart despite his numerous titles and world records
However, he suffered a ruptured Achilles, that needed surgery, when turning out for World XI FC in the 2024 Soccer Aid tournament for UNICEF at Stamford Bridge and had to be stretchered off the pitch, just weeks before the Olympics.
Speaking at a “High Performance” podcast live session at IFS Unleashed 2024, Bolt said the injury changed his plans as he did not want to be the centre of attention by coming to the stands on crutches.
"I was supposed to go with family but I injured myself I was playing charity game, football match for UNICEF and I ruptured my Achilles,” said Bolt.
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09:50 - 29.10.2024
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"I didn't want to go on crutches. It's my first time going and not competing, so it'd be a weird look every time you see me on TV and I'm on crutches like this. I was like let's just stay home."
Bolt, who made his Olympics debut at the 2004 Athens Games, where he exited at the first round, announced himself to the big stage at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he won both 100m and 200m in world record times.
He would go on to claim further glory at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first man to claim the 100m and 200m double three times in a row, while he also had a couple of 4x100m relay titles to add to his collection.
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18:58 - 28.10.2024
Usain Bolt explains how Justin Gatlin unknowingly played a role in his dominant victory at 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Usain Bolt has explained how Justin Gatlin indirectly motivated his victory at his final Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio.
Bolt would be grateful somewhat that he did not attend as his country Jamaica had one of their worst performances when they failed to win an Olympics title on track, their only gold medal coming from discus throw, a rare occurrence for the Caribbean nation, known for its prowess in sprints.
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