NAIROBI, Kenya, July 16- World 800m Champion David Rudisha will not recover in time to defend his title at the World Championships, in Moscow next month.
The Olympic champion wrote to Athletics Kenya on Monday ending any doubts about his chances of defending his title in Moscow.
“I regret that I will not be able to defend my 800m title at the World Championships next month in Moscow,” said Rudisha.
“My knee problem is progressing well but unfortunately not fast enough to enable me recover in time for the said championships. I therefore take this opportunity to wish my colleagues success during the occasion of the World Championships,” he said.
David Okeyo, Athletics Kenya (AK) vice president, confirmed that Rudisha had withdrawn from the World Championships, which means Kenya will have to depend on Anthony Chemut, Ferguson Rotich and Timothy Kitum, the Olympic 800m bronze medalist.
“Having talked to Rudisha on Monday, July 15, it is now official that Mr. Rudisha will not participate in the forthcoming IAAF World Championships in Athletics scheduled for Moscow next month,” said Okeyo.
Rudisha injured his knee in June while training in New York. His coach Colm O’Connell had said a week ago that they were monitoring his progress hoping he will recover for the Moscow World Championships, which start on August 10.
The withdrawal of the Olympic champion means Ezekiel Kemboi (men’s steeple), Asbel Kiprop (men 1500m) and Edna Kiplagat (women marathon) are the only Kenyan titleholders from Daegu who will compete in Moscow.
Rudisha had a slot available for him in the Kenyan team as a titleholder despite the fact that he was not named in the squad of 49 that was named on Saturday after the Trials