Adam Gemili unable to race in Beijing World Championships
Sunday 16 August 2015 16:44, UK
European 200m champion Adam Gemili has been forced to pull out of the Great Britain team for the World Championships in Beijing on medical advice.
Gemili, who was hoping to be part of the 4x100 metres relay team, has not raced since suffering a hamstring tear following a sub-10 second run at the Birmingham Grand Prix in early June.
The 21-year-old has been making good progress in training at Team GB’s holding camp in Fukuoka, Japan but selectors have now decided they are not prepared to risk Gemili’s long-term fitness.
British Athletics performance director Neil Black said: "Whilst Adam has suffered no adverse effects from training following his previous injury, competing is too big a risk based on the latest medical feedback.
"He has made amazing progress and it is a reflection on him that he so wanted to fulfil his commitment to the relay programme. However, we have to make difficult calls occasionally and this is the best for him with the Rio Olympics and the London 2017 World Championships on the horizon.
"We've got a superb relay squad, and the athletes work so hard together, I can understand him wanting to give every last effort to try and make the team."
Gemili added: "I'm disappointed that I can't be part of the team, but I do understand the decision. As the performance director Neil has to make those sort of calls and I respect that he has done so, even though he knew I wanted to carry on.
"It will be very hard to watch from the sidelines in Beijing, but I will do anything I can to support the rest of the guys in their final preparations for the championships."
