Kenyan reigning World and Olympic champion David Rudisha has pulled out of the 800 metres at 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia with a knee injury.
Rudisha, 24, bruised the bone in his right knee at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York in May and had had been receiving specialist treatment in Germany since then.
It now seemed next month’s championships, to be held at the Luzhniki Stadium between August 10-18, had come too early and his withdrawal adds to the already depleted field of stars at the event following the loss of 100m World Champion, Yohan Blake to injury and the withdrawals of Jamaican Olympics Gold Medalists Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and former World champion Tyson Gay with after failed drugs tests.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Vice President, David Okeyo, said Rudisha told him he will miss the World Championships on Monday.
“I regret that I will not be able to defend my 800m title at the World Championships next month in Moscow. My knee problem is progressing well but unfortunately not fast enough to enable me recover in time for the said championships. I therefore take this opportunity to wish my colleagues success during the occasion of the World Championships,” said Rudisha.
In his absence, Kenyan flag in the men’s 800m will now be flown by Anthony Chemut, who won the national trials in 1:44.33, second placer Ferguson Rotich, who clocked 1:44.38, and Jeremiah Mutai, the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships 400m Hurdles silver medallist, who finished third in 1:44.39.
See below a list of Kenyan team to the Moscow 2013:
Men
- 200m: Mike Mokamba
- 800m: Anthony Chemut, Ferguson Rotich, Jeremiah Mutai, David Rudisha
- 1500m: Silas Kiplagat, Asbel Kiprop, Nixon Chepseba, Bethwell Birgen
- 5000m: Isaiah Koech, Thomas Longosiwa, Edwin Soi, John Kipkoech
- 10,000m: Bedan Karoki, Paul Tanui, Kenneth Kiprop
- 3000m: Steeplechase: Conseslus Kipruto, Abel Kiprop, Ezekiel Kemboi, Paul Kipsiele Koech
- 4x400m Relay: Alphas Kishoiyan, Moses Kertich, Boniface Mweresa, Mike Mokamba, Vincent Koskei
- Marathon: Bernard Koech, Bernard Kipyego, Mike Kipyego, Peter Some, Nicholas Kipkemboi.
- Javelin: Julius Yego
Women
- 400m: Maureen Jelagat
- 800m: Eunice Sum, Janeth Jepkosgei, Winny Chebet
- 1500m: Hellen Obiri, Faith Kipyegon, Nancy Langat
- 5000m: Mercy Cherono, Viola Kibiwott, Margaret Wangare
- 10,000m: Gladys Cherono, Emily Chebet, Sally Kaptich Chepyego
- 3000m Steeplechase: Milcah Chemos, Lydia Chebet Rotich, Hyvin Kiyeng, Lydia Chepkurui
- Marathon: Lucy Kabuu, Edna Kiplagat, Agnes Barsosio, Margaret Akai, Eunice Kirwa
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