Watch: Usain Bolt returns from injury with 200 meter win in London
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Usain Bolt made raced for the first time since pulling out of the Jamaican National Championships due to a hamstring injury and won with a convincing 19.89-second performance over 200 meters at the London Diamond League on Friday afternoon.
Despite the injury and not competing in the finals of the Jamaican championships, Bolt was named to the Olympic team and is expected to compete in Rio de Janeiro next month. Bolt will attempt to defend his Olympic gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relay. If he is successful, he would be the first man in history to win three gold medals in the respective events at three Olympics.
• Big Finish: Usain Bolt chasing three more golds in his final Olympics
Watch Bolt's race below:
[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URoG9Tsg3ck]
After the race, Bolt told the BBC broadcast that he still needs work on his start and felt OK. Since pulling out of the Jamaican trials, Bolt has spent time in Germany seeking treatment on his hamstring with Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.
Friday night's race was Bolt's first 200 meter race of the season and his sixth of the year. He has not lost a 200-meter race since July 1, 2012. This was his last race before the Olympics, which means he will head to the Summer Games without the fastest time in the world for the 100 and 200. American Justin Gatlin has run 9.80 on the year for 100 and his compatriot LaShawn Merritt has run 19.74 for 200 meters.
At last summer's world championships, Bolt swept the gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relay.
The 2016 Olympics will start on August 5. Track and field begins on August 12.
- Chris Chavez
