By Mike Rowbottom

usain bolt_12-01-12January 12 - Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt (pictured) will run the 100 metres at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Oslo on June 7, a race he hopes will be "an important stepping stone" to retaining his Olympic title in London this summer.


The Bislett Games, one of 14 Diamond League meetings in the Olympic year, is the first in which the world 100 and 200m record holder and 2011 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athlete of the Year, Bolt, has confirmed his participation.

"I am looking forward to coming back to Oslo and the Bislett Games this summer and try the 100 metres," said Bolt, whose defence of his world 100m title last year ended in disqualification for a false start, but who ended the season with the fastest time of 2011 – 9.76sec.

"I have so many good memories from this great city with its fantastic stadium last year.

"I was really happy with my performance last year when I ran 19.87 in the 200 metres in front of a sold out stadium with its enthusiastic crowd.

"That race ended up being my second fastest 200m race of my season.

"My preparations have been good this fall.

"I am injury free, working hard and everything is going according to plan.

"I hope to come to Bislett prepared and ready to run a great race.

"This year is really important for me as it is an Olympic year and I am aiming to defend my three gold medals from Beijing.

"My 100m race at Bislett stadium on June 7 will be an important stepping stone towards that goal."

Oslo meeting director Steinar Hoen commented: "We are proud of having the biggest sport stars in the world lined up for our 100m race.

"There is only around six weeks to go to the London Olympics after this race and there is no doubt it will be surrounded by an enormous amount of interest."

In addition to his three gold medals from the 2008 Olympic Games, Bolt has won five world titles – two in the 200m and 4x100m relay and one at 100m – and also holds the world record in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay along with his Jamaican teammates.

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