Olympian Greg Rutherford misses British Championships
Last Updated: 22/06/16 5:49pm
Greg Rutherford has withdrawn from this weekend's British Championships because of fitness concerns, but the Olympic long jump champion insists he will be fit for the Rio Games.
Rutherford suffered whiplash at the Birmingham Diamond League on June 5 and has taken a precautionary decision to withdraw from the Olympic trials in Birmingham.
However, the 29-year-old is confident he remains on course to defend his Olympic title in Rio in August and his European crown in Amsterdam in July.
"I'm really disappointed not to be competing in Birmingham this weekend, but for me defending the Olympic title is my main focus for 2016," Rutherford said on Wednesday.
"As a result, in consultation with British Athletics, we have decided not to take any risks, finish my training camp here in Arizona and focus on making sure I am in the best position possible to compete at the European Championships and win gold in Rio."
Not competing at the Olympic trials means Rutherford cannot guarantee his place on the Great Britain team for Rio.
However, as the reigning Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion, he is certain to get a discretionary spot, injury permitting.
"Defending the Olympic title is obviously Greg's main focus for 2016, so he has sensibly decided not to take any risks," British Athletics performance director Neil Black said.
"We have seen time and time again that he knows what to do to allow him to go into a championships in the best shape possible, so we are fully supportive of this decision aimed towards retaining gold in Rio."
