Greg Rutherford sidelined with ankle ligament injury eight weeks before world title defence
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 11/06/17 5:27pm
Greg Rutherford has suffered an injury setback less than two months before the defence of his World Championship long jump title in London.
Rutherford, who claimed the title in Beijing in 2015, revealed on Sunday that he had suffered an ankle ligament injury and would not be jumping again this month.
The World Championships get underway at the Olympic Stadium, venue of Rutherford's London 2012 gold medal success, on August 4 with long jump qualifying scheduled for the opening Friday night session.
Rutherford has been bothered by his ankle before this season, but managed a season's best leap of 8.18m towards the end of May when winning the Great City Games event in Manchester.
However, he said his ankle had flared up after winning with a 7.95m jump in Italy last weekend and confirmed on Sunday he was facing time on the sidelines.
Rutherford wrote on Twitter: "I've damaged some ligaments in my ankle so I won't be able to jump again in June. Hoping to be back for July and beyond."
