Gill gives Games a miss
New Zealand's world junior shot putt champion Jacko Gill has decided to pass up chance to compete at the Olympics.
By Emma Bird
Last Updated: 02/04/12 11:28am
New Zealand's world junior shot putt champion Jacko Gill has decided to pass up a chance to compete at the London Olympics in a bid to pursue the junior world record.
Gill was not named among New Zealand's initial contingent of four track and field athletes for the London Olympics but was included among a group of five athletes likely to be added to the squad after meeting secondary qualifying standards.
The 17-year-old pre-empted that decision on Monday, saying he had decided to concentrate on breaking the world under-20 shot putt record.
Gill said his training had been complicated by having to switch between the 6 kilogram (13 1/4 pound) junior shot and 7.26 kilogram (16 pound) senior shot.
He will now compete at the World Junior Championships at Barcelona in July.
