Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford will not be competing in Birmingham as he focuses on preparing for the defence of his title in Rio
Greg Rutherford is to miss the British Championships in Birmingham this weekend (June 24-26).
British Athletics announced that the Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth long jump champion would no longer be competing “as he focuses on preparing for the defence of his title in Rio”.
Rutherford said: “I’m really disappointed not to be competing in Birmingham this weekend, but for me defending the Olympic title is my main focus for 2016.
“As a result, in consultation with British Athletics, we have decided not to take any risks, finish my training camp here in Arizona and focus on making sure I am in the best position possible to compete at the European Championships and win gold in Rio.”
Other athletes to have withdrawn from the event this weekend due to fitness concerns include Ashleigh Nelson, Isobel Pooley, Lorraine Ugen, Dan Bramble and Meghan Beesley.
British Athletics performance director, Neil Black, said: “All the athletes are really disappointed not to be competing in Birmingham this weekend, as finishing in the top two at the British Championships would have secured them an automatic spot on the plane to Rio.
“The championships are the pinnacle of our domestic season, with a place on the team at the Olympic Games in Rio, as well as the honour of being crowned British champion, the prize this year.
“After withdrawing from the trials, athletes are no longer guaranteed a place on the team for the Olympics. But those who already have the required qualification standards, or achieve them before the cut-off point, are all still eligible for the later rounds of the selection process.”
Speaking of Rutherford specifically, Black added: “Defending the Olympic title is obviously Greg’s main focus for 2016, so he has sensibly decided not to take any risks. We have seen time and time again that he knows what to do to allow him to go into a championships in the best shape possible, so we are fully supportive of this decision aimed towards retaining Gold in Rio.”
