Fraser to skip Delhi Commonwealth Games

Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser has opted not to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

The Jamaican, who took part in an IAAF Diamond League meeting on Saturday, said October was too late in the year.

The news is a blow to organisers of the Games, following men's Olympic champion Usain Bolt's decision not to compete.

Fraser said it was "too much to ask" to expect her to be in peak condition in Delhi and then come back and train for the World Championships next year.

The 23-year-old said: "It is a long season and trying to peak for the Commonwealth and then coming home in December to start training for a World Championships (next year) is too much to ask, especially for someone like me who is a also a student.

"I will be in school. I don't think I am going."

Fraser also won a gold medal as part of the Jamaican 4x100m relay squad at last year's World Championships.

She announced her decision at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon, where she came second in the 100m behind another Jamaican, Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Double Olympic and world sprint champion Bolt announced in June he would not compete in Delhi.

Usain Bolt not to run at Commonwealth Games

Usain Bolt will not be running at the Commonwealth Games, his manager Ricky Simms confirmed on Wednesday.

"I can 100 per cent confirm that Usain will not be running at the Commonwealth Games," Simms informed after the sprint champion’s name figured in the preliminary list of athletes submitted to the Commonwealth Games organisers by the Jamaican Olympic Association.

"Maybe this list was sent in some time ago," Simms added. "The Commonwealth Games is not on Usain’s schedule for this year."

Simms in fact, echoed what Bolt’s coach Glen Mills had said last week. Bolt had himself expressed doubts over his Commonwealth Games participation.

If finding Bolt’s name on the Jamaican list had raised the Games’ organisers’ hopes, Simms had a stern message for them.

"I do not understand why the CWG official cannot just accept his decision and stop putting out more stories in the press. They should focus on the athletes who are coming to India," Simms said through email.

Bolt might not be able to come to India as a guest either, if invited. "I don’t think Usain would want to come to India as a guest. He is scheduled to resume training after a 4-6 week break at that time," Simms said.

Usain Bolt still not clear about Commonwealth Games

Usain Bolt has left a large question mark over whether the Commonwealth Games will figure in his schedule for the 2010 season by saying that he does not plan to compete in major championships because he needs an easy season to help him prepare for the London 2012 Olympics.

Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the New Delhi organising committee, had claimed last month that he is confident that Bolt and team-mate Asafa Powell, the former world record holder for the 100 metres, and the rest of Jamaica's top sprinters will run in the Indian capital.

But the triple Olympic and world champion, has warned that he plans to adopt a more low-key approach in 2010 after two years during which he has revolutionised the sport by smashing the world records for the 100 and 200 metres.

"We’ll definitely win races and try to do our best. But we don’t really want to do too much, because after the upcoming season we have World Championships in 2011 and the Olympics in 2012 and I have to defend my titles."

Bolt has consistently refused to commit himself to the Commonwealth Games, which are due to open on October 3, 2010. He has said that he will leave the final decision to his coach, Glen Mills.

Asafa Powell uncertain for Commonwealth Games

Former 100-metres world record holder Asafa Powell is still uncertain as whether he will defend his Commonwealth Games title, but the sprinter is not ruling out the possibility.

Powell, a back-to-back World Championships bronze medallist over the 100m, won the event at the last Games in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 and is seen as a strong contender to defend his crown in New Delhi, India next year. His participation, however, is still tentative as he wouldn’t commit to running at the event.

"We’re not sure about all the plan for next year," said Powell, who was a member of the Jamaican team that dominated the sprints at the last Games. But I’m always looking forward to run," said the man who has a personal best of 9.72seconds and a record of 57 for times faster then 10-seconds over the 100m.

Powell’s fellow countryman and world record holder Usain Bolt is also hoping to race at the Games, but will leave all the decisions to his coach Glen Mills. Bolt, who dominated the 100m and 200m with world record performances at the Beijing Olympics and Berlin World Championships, missed the last event because of an injury, but said after sweeping the sprints in Berlin, that he would love to race in India.

Bolt and Powell were key-members of the Jamaican 4×100m relay teams that won gold medals in Beijing and Berlin. The Jamaicans ran a world record time of 37.10seconds to win in Beijing and 37.32secs to win in Berlin.

The Games will run from 3–14 October 2010, and will be the first time India will be hosting the event. This is also the second time the event has been held in Asia, with Kuala Lumpur in 1998, being the first.

Sponsors required for Usain Bolt

Commonwealth Games organisers are seeking an Indian sponsor to try to encourage Usain Bolt to commit himself to the event in New Delhi next year. The Jamaican, the world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, has so far kept his schedule for 2010 under wraps but officials hope that a big Indian company would guarantee his participation.

(Video: Usain Bolt breaks World Record)

Officials believe that in a country with the 12th biggest economy in the world, along with China, the fastest growing – the triple Olympic and world champion would be an attractive brand ambassador for a major Indian firm. It remains to be seen if any of Indian companies share their view and find it worthwhile to take the plunge. So far, the International sports good companies have promised quite a lot regarding India's growth story but have failed to deliver when it comes to making commitment to the market. This can be attributed to their lack of understanding of the market dynamics, and also to the fact that Indian customers are extremely price sensitive.

The super star said at the World Championships in Berlin last month that he hoped he would be able to compete at Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital due to begin on October 3, 2010. A final decision will be taken after consultation between the star and his coach and training staff.

Click here  to watch Usain Bolt's WORLD RECORD setting run at Berlin World Championships.

Bolt strikes again: Shatters 200m record

Usain Bolt's dream run continued at world championships as he shattered his own 200m world record. Usain slashed 0.11 sec off the time he set in Beijing, running in a time of 19.19 seconds. Earlier this week he also brought down his 100m record from 9.69 seconds to 9.58sec (Video: Usain Bolt breaking 100 m record), the exact same cut he achieved in 200m.

Bolt, who completed his 200m win a day before his 23rd birthday, set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last summer and his breathtaking performances in Berlin have enhanced his reputation as the best sprinter of all time. Interestingly, at the post event ceremony, Bolt confessed that he was not 100% during the 200m run. "Maybe next time I should just run the 200m or the 100m alone," he added. "My form was going backwards. I wasn't running upright. It wasn't a good race but it was a fast one."

Bolt had one false start but got off the blocks quickly and opened up an easy, early lead which was enough for him to take him to the finish line. His nearest competitor was Alonso Edward, who finished with a time of 19.81 seconds while the American Wallace Spearmon took the bronze with 19.85 seconds.

His scintillating performance has led a few people to question if he is taking any performance enhancement supplements. However, Bolt insists that the only reason for the same is hard work and discipline.

Click here to read more about Usain Bolt. You can also find info about fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell.

I can run faster: Usain Bolt

Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt has said that he is targeting the 9.4-second barrier for the 100m after setting a new world record at the World Championships. The 22-year-old recorded a time of 9.58 seconds as he raced to a sensational victory in Berlin last night. Bolt's coach Glen Mills had predicted after the Olympics that his runner could make 9.54 and was nearly proved right.

"I think it will stop at 9.4, but you never know," said the Jamaican.

"I'm going to run hard. I think it's going to be even more difficult because I just took Tyson's 100m title, so I know he's going to come after me. I'm just going to do my best like I always do. You can always expect me to go out and run my heart out. It's going to be fun."

Fun certainly seems to be the buzz-word around Bolt, who is happy to laugh and joke with his competitors and the crowd until the very last seconds before the start of a race.

And the star has no plans to change this relaxed approach.

"I train all year round to run the 100m, so I know what I've got to do. When I go in the blocks, I know what's necessary, so, for me, I can have all the fun I want before the race."

However, Bolt is wary of overcelebrating while he still has his favoured event - the 200m - to come in Berlin.

"I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do," he said. "There'll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I'll rest up as always. I need to rest up for the 200m."Click here to read more about Usain Bolt.