DEFENDING long jump champion Greg Rutherford has been ruled out of the World Championships in London with an ankle injury.
The 30-year-old has failed to recover from the problem he suffered competing in Italy last month, British Athletics has announced.
“In the last few days I have had to accept an unfortunate reality. I did everything I could, but a string of injuries at the worst possible time means I will be unable to defend my world title in London,” said Rutherford.
“With an incredible start to the year in training, and very promising early season form, I have had a difficult series of setbacks as the season progressed.
“Most recently, a badly damaged ankle ligament and a sportsman’s hernia, really put paid to my plans. The injuries have taken longer to heal than we hoped, and I have been unable to even jump at all in training, let alone compete.
“I am truly gutted. That stadium is such a special place for me, I am so devastated that I won’t be competing in front of the best fans in the world, in the stadium that changed my life.
“My focus will now turn to 2018 and becoming a three time European champion on the trot, something no long jumper has ever done before.”
Rutherford won his Olympic title in London five years ago while he also claimed the Commonwealth Games crown and European gold medal in 2014.
Performance director Neil Black said: “He desperately wanted to defend his world title in front of the home crowd, but unfortunately his injury hasn’t cleared up in time and the hard but sensible decision had to be made to withdraw.”
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