Usain Bolt set to show he's healed as Olympics loom.

 

Donovan Bailey isn't surprised Usain Bolt is running the 200 metres and not the 100 at this week's Diamond League meet in London, England, noting "it's a plan" by the six-time Olympic gold medallist and his handlers leading up to next month's Rio Games.

Bolt, who was hampered by ankle problems earlier this season, continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury that forced him to withdraw minutes before the 100 final at Jamaica's Olympic trials three weeks ago.

"The 200 is his favourite and a great test for him [ahead of Rio]. I think he'll be fine," Bailey, the 1996 Olympic champion in the 100, told CBC Sports this week.

"It means the world to be back here," Bolt told reporters at a news conference Thursday. "The crowd is always going to be great. One thing here I really appreciate is the track is wonderful. It's going to be a great competition."

On July 11, the Jamaican Olympic Association allowed Bolt on its team, one day after the 29-year-old posted a photo of himself back in training, after applying for a medical exemption.

The 100 and 200 world-record holder will run against eight others Friday at 4:52 p.m. ET, including Canada's Brendon Rodney, at the Müller Anniversary Games.
Earlier this month at the Canadian Olympic trials in Edmonton, the 24-year-old Hamilton native clocked 19.96 seconds, becoming the second Canadian in history to dip under the 20-second barrier. Rodney ran 20.18 in his heat at the world track and field championships last August.
"He's gotta take this opportunity and establish himself as someone who should be looked at every time he runs a 100-metre race," Bailey said. "He's gotta get out of the block, accelerate on the corner and go through his proper transitions."
Here's a breakdown of the other Canadian content:
Shawn Barber (pole vault): Friday, 2:05 p.m. ET
The Canadian will attempt to beat French rival and reigning Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie at the old Olympic Stadium for the first time in seven meetings this season in a match that won't involve Diamond League points.
At the Stockholm Diamond League a month ago, Barber made 5.65 on his third and final attempt while Lavillenie, who has defeated the Canadian 13 times in 15 career matchups, was successful on his second try at 5.73 to win.
"I've jumped 5.97 and 6.03 here before," Lavillenie said Thursday. "I'm anticipating good weather to try and jump well once again."
Barber's season best is 5.91.
"Shawn is a [2015] world champion and Shawn isn't afraid of anyone," said Bailey. "If the weather is good in London, he's going to prepare himself very well for Rio. Shawn can look at and see what the weaknesses are [in Lavillenie's performance]."
Aaron Brown (100 metres): Friday, 4:39 p.m. ET
The 24-year-old Toronto native finished second at the recent Canadian trials, 0.08 seconds behind Andre De Grasse. In June, Brown ran a personal best 9.96 at the Star Athletics meet in Florida to become the second Canadian man in 17 years to run sub-10 seconds. His season best is 9.96
"He's been consistent this year," said Bailey. "He trains with [current world No. 1] Justin Gatlin and [former Olympic medallist] Dennis Mitchell, so he's certainly in a good training group."
Phylicia George (100 hurdles): Friday, 4:15 p.m. ET (Final)
She won a hotly contested race at trials, stopping the clock in 12.88, followed by Nikkita Holder in 12.94. The 28-year-old George ran a season-best 12.74 in May at the Cayman Invitational, where American Kendra Harrison set a meet record in 12.42. Harrison is also in Friday's field of 16.
Kimberly Hyacinthe (200 metres): Saturday, 11:15 a.m. ET
The Montreal native is coming off a 22.88 effort at trials. Hyacinthe, 27, was fifth at Oslo Diamond League in Norway, where she crossed the line in 23.13. Her season best is 23.02.
Genevieve Lalonde (3,000 steeplechase): Saturday, 10:37 a.m. ET
Coming off a third-place finish at trials, Lalonde set a Canadian record in May with a time of 9:32.17 at a Diamond League meet in Eugene, Oregon.
Brandon McBride (800 metres): Friday, 3:50 p.m. ET
A senior at Mississippi State, McBride met the Olympic standard of 1:46.00 with a few times this season and won the Canadian trials in 1:45.25. The 21-year-old was fourth at his Diamond League debut in Monaco in 1:44.90, just shy of his season and personal best of 1:44.50, set at the NCAA championships in June.
Erin Teschuk (3,000 steeplechase): Saturday, 10:37 a.m. ET
Prior to her winning the event in 9:50.99 at trials, the North Dakota State University standout gave up her final year of NCAA eligibility to turn pro. Teschuk, 21, is the NDSU record holder in seven events. Her season best is 9:48.65.
Alyx Treasure (high jump): Friday, 2:55 p.m. ET
The native of Prince George, B.C., cleared 1.88 in Edmonton for her third Canadian championship. In June, Treasure finished second at the Harry Jerome Track Classic in Burnaby, B.C., with a jump of 1.85. Her season best is 1.93.
Diamond League on CBC Sports

CBC Sports will provide live streaming coverage of all 14 Diamond League meets this season at CBCSports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. TV coverage will be featured as part of the network's Road To The Olympic Games weekend broadcasts throughout the season.

The following is a list of upcoming Diamond League meets on CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports app:

- London (Friday, 3 p.m., Saturday at 10 a.m. ET)

- Lausanne (Aug. 25, 2 p.m. ET)

- Paris (Aug. 27, 2 p.m. ET)

- Zurich (Sept. 1, 2 p.m. ET)

- Brussels (Sept. 9, 2 p.m. ET)