Kenya's David Rudisha competes in the men's 800m final at the London Olympic Games on August 9, 2012. Rudisha will miss next month's World Athletics Championships in Moscow, his coach says. Rudisha is the reigning World and Olympic 800m champion. (AFP/File)
NAIROBI (AFP) – World and Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha confirmed Tuesday that he will miss next month's World Athletics Championships in Moscow.
The 24-year-old world record holder twisted his knee in training in New York six weeks ago, which forced him to skip the national trials in Nairobi last Saturday and means he will now not defend his title at the August 10-18 worlds.
"I am recovering well but unfortunately it is very slow. At this point in time I don't think I can recover in time for the world championships," said Rudisha in a statement released by Athletics Kenya.
Rudisha's coach, Colm O'Connell, said that the athlete had hoped he would improve fast enough to start training, but with the world championships only three weeks away, there was not sufficient time.
"It is a big disappointment. The expectations from the country were very high," said O'Connell.
"However, his absence should give other athletes the opportunity to compete in Moscow."
Athletic Kenya's senior vice-chairman David Okeyo added: "It is unfortunate that he will not be able to defend his title. We cannot replace him with another athlete since his wild card cannot allow a replacement."
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