8 Sep 2015

Bolt to take the rest of the year off

6:44 am on 8 September 2015

The Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt will miss the Diamond League final in Brussels this week after deciding to end his 2015 season early.

Usain Bolt wins World 100m title Beijing 2015.

Usain Bolt wins World 100m title Beijing 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The six-time Olympic champion will enjoy a break after storming to treble gold at the world championships.

Bolt posted on his facebook account "After the excitement of the past few weeks at the World T&F (track and field) Championships in Beijing, I have decided not to race again in 2015,"

"I am already thinking about next year and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio where I will attempt to defend my titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

"I will enjoy a short break from training now to recharge before resuming background training next month."

Bolt saw off all rivals in the Chinese capital, sealing another world treble gold despite an injury-hit season.

He anchored Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m relay to add to his wins in the 100m and 200m, trumping much-touted and controversial American rival Justin Gatlin.

It was Bolt's fifth treble gold showing in major championships, having performed the same feat at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in Beijing and London, and world championships in 2009 and 2013 in Berlin and Moscow.

His sole hiccup came in the 2011 worlds in Daegu when a false start in the 100m saw him return home with "only" the 200m title and a relay gold.

Bolt had been due to compete in the 200m in Brussels, with Gatlin racing the 100m.

"Unfortunately Usain Bolt feels too tired and has decided to end his season and go back home," the meet's organisers tweeted.

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