Nairobi, May 5 (IANS): Kenya’s David Rudisha will not be returning to the track in Doha, Qatar May 9 for the first leg of the 2014 Diamond League series.
The Olympic 800m champion confirmed Sunday in Eldoret that he is carrying a calf injury, which he sustained in training.
“I’m sorry, Doha will not be possible. The injury is not that bad, but I have to be cautious. I can drive and do other things, but it is not good enough for the championships,” Rudisha told Xinhua.
Rudisha, however, is expected to recover in time for the remaining part of the 14-leg series. He has already confirmed participation in New York in June.
“I’m very disappointed not to be able to race in Doha. I know I have got a lot of fans there and I’m sorry I cannot compete for them,” said Rudisha.
“He has been training well, progressively getting fitter and stronger these last months and was excited about returning to competition in Doha. It’s been on his agenda these last months and he’s been building towards that,” his manager James Templeton added.
“However he had a setback last week in training — a strained calf muscle as he was training on the track — that prevented him from competing in the AK meeting in Mumias Friday.
“It’s not a major injury but he has been sore and unfortunately doesn’t feel able to risk his comeback by racing in Doha next week,” he said
