Kalmadi stays optimistic

With doubts persisting over his proposed participation in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has denied making any commitment to participate in the event.

With doubts persisting over his proposed participation in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has denied making any commitment to participate in the event.

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Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, had earlier confirmed the Jamaican's participation in the October 3-14 event next year.

But Ricky Simms, Bolt's manager, said the world champion had made no promises so far and will only decide on his participation next year. “I've spoken to Glen Mills (Bolt's coach) who confirmed that no decision will be made about Usain's participation in the Commonwealth Games until May-June 2010 when he starts racing in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Diamond League,” Simms was quoted as saying on a website Insidethegames.com.

The Jamaican sprinter had also said in October earlier that he would be planning a low-key approach to 2010 and only take part in select events. Kalmadi told HT on Wednesday, “Usain Bolt has not said anything about his participation in the Games next year. I had invited him when we met in Monaco. I had spoken to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago recently
about the issue and also to the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Fennell (who is Jamaican).”