Bolt skips Golden Spike, Paris Diamond League meets due to injury....World’s fastest man unsure when he’ll resume competing.....US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who set a year-leading time of 9.87 seconds last month, will replace Bolt in Ostrava, organizers said.

 Friday, June 06, 2014 | 11:26 AM    

PRAGUE (AP) — Usain Bolt said he will skip the Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic city of Ostrava and a Diamond League meet in Paris because he is behind with his training following a foot injury.

"I had to miss some training in late March and early April due to a foot injury," Bolt said in a message to the organizers on Friday. "Thankfully, my foot is 100 per cent healthy now and I am back in full training."

BOLT

But, "due to the training that I missed I am behind where I am at normally at this time of year and will not be ready to race in the Ostrava Golden Spike meet or Meeting Areva in Paris."

The Golden Spike is scheduled for June 17, and the six-time Olympic champion was to race for the seventh time there. US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who set a year-leading time of 9.87 seconds last month, will replace Bolt in Ostrava, organizers said.

The Paris meet is on July 5.

Bolt said it was not clear yet when he might return to competing.

"It is important for me to take my time this year as I have three tough years ahead in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as I attempt to defend my world and Olympic titles," he said. "I definitely plan to compete this season."

Bolt previously said his goal for 2014 was to break his own 200-metre world record of 19.19.

Last year, Bolt won the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay at the world championships. He won the same three races at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2009 Worlds.