Gatlin in the 100m and the 200m

Usain Bolt will not compete in Brussels next Friday at the AG Insurance Memorial Van Damme. “Bolt feels tired after the World Championships and he is slightly injured at his left leg. He ends his season and returns back to Jamaica,” announces Meeting Director Wilfried Meert.

On Twitter Bolt reacted on his withdrawal. “I have competed many times in Brussels and it is one of the best meets on the circuit. The track is fast and the stadium is fully packed. I was looking forward to it, but I’m also glad that I can end my season withouit injuries.”

In spite of the absence of Bolt the AG Insurance Memorial Van Damme still presents a star studded field. No less than 23 Olympic gold medalists, 48 World Champions, 16 World Indoor Champions and 20 European Champions have signed up, backed up by huge numbers of medal winners in these championships.

Justin Gatlin will now compete in both the 100m and the 200m. In the 100m Gatlin will take on Asafa Powell, Mike Rodgers and Jimmy Vicaut while South Africans Van Niekerk and Jobodwana and Alonso Edward from Panama are strong contenders on the double distance.

The Women’s 200m is an equally strong event. Dutch 200m World Champion Dafne Schippers is opposed to World 400m Champion Allyson Felix from the USA.

Other events to watch out for are the Men’s Triple Jump with another breathtaking duel between Christian Taylor and Pedro Pablo Pichardo. “It is an event where the World Record is always in danger with these guys out there,” says Meert.

In the Men’s Pole Vault Olympic Champion Lavillenie is out for revenge against World Champion Shawnacy Barber.

Usain Bolt’s tweet: