Bolt undecided on long jump

24 Oct 2012, 11:56 am   -   Source: AAP
Sprint superstar Usain Bolt is worried that long jumping could leave him prone to more injuries. (AAP)

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt is worried that long jumping could leave him prone to more injuries. (AAP)

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt is worried that long jumping could leave him prone to more injuries.

Usain Bolt isn't sure whether he will try competing in the long jump because he doesn't want to risk a serious injury that could keep him from defending his sprint titles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Jamaican said he is still evaluating the possibility of taking on the long jump, but is concerned that his preparation for the event could make him more susceptible to knee injuries.

"The plan is (to compete in the) long jump maybe before the Olympics, but I have talked to my coach a little bit and he's shown some concern about the fact that long jump can bring some problems to the knee," Bolt said on Tuesday at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Bolt, who became the first man to successfully defend the 100m and 200m titles at the London Olympics, has been going back and forth about whether he will try competing in either the long jump or the 400m in Rio.

"We will sit down and evaluate if we want to do it," Bolt said.

"Because if I do it, I may jeopardise my opportunity to come to Rio, so I may not do long jump. It concerns me. We will look over and see if it is possible."

Bolt earlier this month said his aim was to go for a three-peat of his Olympic sprint titles in Rio, but a couple of days later he said the long jump and the 400m were not out of the question.

The 26-year-old Bolt holds the 100m and 200m world records.

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