Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the local organising committee, had announced to a high-powered audience, including Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) in Port-of-Spain that Bolt would definitely be running in the Indian capital in the event that opens on October 3, 2010.

 

The presence of Bolt, the triple Olympic and world champion and world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, would given the event huge creditability and bring it worldwide focus.

 

But Bolt has now claimed that it is far too early for him to now whether he will make the trip to India.

 

Ricky Simms, his British-based manager, said: "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."

 

Bolt said in October that he planned to adopt a more low-key approach to 2010 after two years during which he has pushed back the boundaries of his sport.

 

Several experts, including four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson, have also warned Bolt that he should use next year as an opportunity to have a quiet season before beginning his preparations for London 2012.

 

The American said: "It might be time for Bolt to slow down.

 

"Physically, there is no doubt he can continue to compete, and there is no telling how fast he might go one day.

 

"But mentally, it is a different story.

 

"The most difficult thing for a young, accomplished athlete to do is to figure out how to stay motivated."

 

This is not the first occasion that Kalmadi, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association and a member of IAAF's ruling Council, has claimed that Bolt will definitely run in Delhi.

 

He did the same in September having made it something of a personal mission to get Bolt to compete there.

 

Kalmadi said earlier this year that they were seeking a major Indian company to sponsor Bolt in the hope that it would guarantee his participation in the Commonwealth Games.

 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

 

 

 

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