OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (Sporting Alert) — Usain Bolt ran a modest 20.13 seconds to win the men’s 200m at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting, in cold and wet conditions on Tuesday.
The Jamaican world sprint double world record holder was hoping for a faster time at the meet, but failed to overcome the weather and he admits to just focusing more on his running technique.
“I am always happy to be in Ostrava,” said Bolt, despite the unfavourable conditions for sprinters. “It’s one of my favourite place.
“It was a little colder than I thought it was going to be, but I was working mainly on my technique.
“I just wanted to run myself into shape.”
Finishing behind Bolt was American Isiah Young in 20.35, as he attempted the quick turnaround 100/200 sprint double.
Bolt’s countryman Asafa Powell took the men’s 100m in 10.05 seconds, a time which was far slower than he had targeted.
The former 100m world record holder, who has a seasonal best of 9.84secs, was hoping to better that time on his return to Ostrava.
Trailing Powell home was Young, who ran 10.13secs for second place and Great Britain’s Richard Kilty (10.34).
In the men’s 600m race, Olympic 800m champion and world record holder over the two lap event, David Rudisha of Kenya, pulled up injured – and Poland’s Adam Kszczot went on to take the win in a time of 1:16.02.
Rudisha started the first 100m brightly, but grabbed on to his right quad as he came into the opening straightaway, prior to coming to a complete stop.
He managed to walk off the track on his own though, which is a good indication that the problem might not have been very serious.
In other events, American Sharika Nelvis set a new meet record of 12.55 seconds en route to wining the women’s 100m hurdles.
Alina Talay fo Belarus was second in 12.78 with Great Britain’s 2013 World Championships bronze medallist Tiffany Porter finishing third in 12.90.
Commonwealth Games champion Julius Yego of Kenya took the men’s Javelin with a throw of 86.88m to beat Germany’s Thomas Rohler (85.36m) and world-leader Tero Pitkämäki (83.96m) of Finland.
