Jeneko Place admitted he was disappointed over his last minute withdrawal from the Carifta Games due to injury.The 18-year-old sprinter pulled out of the meet after aggravating a hamstring injury suffered in the final lead-up to the Games.Place, who won two silver medals at the 2010 Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands, had been scheduled to compete in the Under-20 boys 100 and 200 metres but had to be replaced by training partner Scott Clarke.The CedarBridge Academy student strained his hamstring during the Telford Mile before his condition took another turn for the worst during Carifta trials while competing in the 200 metres.“It was more like a strain at the Telford Mile and then I built it back up,” he said. “But when I did the trials, that’s when I suffered a little tear in the tendon and that’s when it really started bothering me.”Ultimately, the decision to withdraw from the Games was made on the eve of the start of competition after he realised he wouldn’t be able to compete anywhere near his best.“When I tried to warm up at the track I started to feel it so I shut it down,” Place said.“I am disappointed but the CAC and World Youth Championships are still coming around and most of the people here at Carifta will be at the same event so I will be all right.”Since withdrawing, Place, who had hoped to break the current junior national 100 metres record (10.6 seconds) held by Lovintz Tota in front of the home crowd, has proven to be a source of inspiration for his fellow Bermuda team-mates.“My main thing now is to help my team-mates because I can’t run,” he said. “I will just help everyone and give them whatever they need in terms of support to help them out in the races.”Commenting on Place’s ordeal, Bermuda head coach Brian Wellman said: “We had to withdraw Jeneko from the event due to the fact his injury was preventing him from performing to the level which he needs to perform at. Obviously he will be greatly missed.”Place is the second local athlete behind Quaashie Douglas to be ruled out of the Carifta Games through a hamstring injury.Both athletes took part in Friday’s opening ceremony with Douglas being designated as flag bearer.“I am very proud to have been given this opportunity,” she said. “I feel like I am still a part of the Carifta team representing my country.”