Young rival levels stunning claims at 'scared' Bolt

Usain Bolt’s management have been forced to deny claims he had Canadian rival Andre de Grasse "booted out" of the Monaco Diamond League 100m final.

De Grasse won silver and bronze behind Bolt at the Rio Olympics last year and has been tipped as a natural successor to the Jamaican.

The Canadian will only run as part of his country's 4x100m relay team in Monaco, missing a head-to-head with Bolt in the 100m final.

And reports have emerged that Bolt, who has been below par recently, had something to do with that.

"We were in the (100m) race. We got booted out. That's all on Bolt," De Grasse's coach Stuart McMillan was quoted as saying by Canadian media.

"Let's just say he wanted not such an elite field against him.

"The fastest guy in the world gets to choose the field. But I don't blame him at all.

"This is his last year, he's only raced twice. I totally understand that he doesn't want to increase the pressure prior to Worlds by going in with a potential loss.

"If anyone deserves the right to choose the field, it's Bolt."

But Bolt’s management have refuted McMillan’s claims, saying they had no say in the make-up of the field.

Bolt has only raced twice over 100m so far in his final season before retirement, beating weak fields in Jamaica and Czech Republic with times of 10.03 and 10.06.

De Grasse set tongues wagging with an incredible 9.69sec in Stockholm last month, a time that was ruled ineligible because of wind assistance.

Bolt will run the 100m and 4x100m at the world championships in London next month, his final event before retiring.

The winner of eight Olympic and 11 world gold medals, is looking to bring down the curtain on his glittering career in style at the August 4-13 event.

"My main aim is just to win (in London). I just want to retire on a winning note," Bolt said during a press conference in Monaco ahead of Friday's Diamond League meeting.

The 30-year-old revealed he would not defend his 200m world title, meaning he will not race against South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk, the athlete Bolt has tipped to take over as the next track and field superstar.

"I think that's one of the most disappointing things in my career now," said Bolt. "He came along at this late stage and I didn't get to compete against him, because I think he's one of the best now."

He added: "I'm never afraid, I live for competition. But for me it's too late now, I'm at the end of my career. We'll never know what could happen."

with agencies