Here’s the latest in the aches, pains & eligibility departments
THE BIG NEWS in the eligibilty department came when 5 superstar non-seniors decided to go pro and forego remaining NCAA opportunities: Mondo Duplantis, Grant Holloway, Divine Oduduru, Sha’Carri Richardson & Daniel Roberts.
German decathlete Arthur Abele, the European champion, will not compete this summer because of a recurring foot injury.
Miler Robby Andrews has revealed that last year he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and in February he had surgery to remove bone spurs.
High jump world champ Mutaz Barshim has returned to light training after foot surgery last summer. He says, “Now it’s really a matter of me getting back in shape and then build myself back up to the point where I can compete.”
Barshim rival Bogdan Bondarenko is skipping heights whenever possible in order to protect a still-recovering foot.
Niamh Emerson of Britain, the World Junior heptathlon champ, tore her right patellar tendon at Götzis and underwent surgery.
German decathlete Rico Freimuth withdrew from Götzis with injury.
Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal lost 6 weeks of training this spring after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in her pelvis.
Arkansas vaulter Lexi Jacobus was hampered by a back injury this season.
Marathoner/Olympic triathlon champ Gwen Jorgensen had surgery in May for Haglund’s Deformity, a bone enlargement at the back of the heel. She’s expected to miss 3-4 months of training.
Melat Kejeta, a 68:41 half-marathoner from Ethiopia, has been granted German citizenship.
Martin Lamou, a promising French triple jumper who was recruited by Florida State, has tested well at the NFL’s European combine and may be pursuing a career in football.
Long jumper Luvo Manyonga hurt his foot at the Rabat DL when he planted badly and was stretchered from the field. “I should be OK soon,” he said afterwards.
Decathlon WR holder Kevin Mayer has admitted that ever since a training accident over the winter he has faced a mental block while vaulting: “Every time I see myself falling back just before jumping and suddenly my left arm refuses to send me up.”
Mahiedine Mekhissi, the European Recordholder in the steeple, will skip the ’19 season after having Achilles surgery.
Euro vault silver medalist Timur Morgunov will miss at least half the season after breaking his little finger in training.
Discus great Sandra Perković has been injured for 8 months: “It was really hard to come back as It was a tough injury. I am completely focused now and I am aiming to get back in shape.”
Hurdle star Abderrahmane Samba withdrew from the Bislett Games with an inflamed hip.
Carolin Schäfer, the World Champs silver medalist in the heptathlon, has been forced to take a break because of health issues. She hopes to be back in time for Doha.
Ukrainian high jumper Keteryna Tabashnyk, who cleared 6-6 (1.98) in December, recently had surgery on her right Achilles.
Prep distance star Katelyn Tuohy, bothered by a sinus infection at her state meet, opted to end her season before the New Balance Nationals.
Australia’s Trae Williams, a 10.10 sprinter at age 22, has retired from track to play rugby.
Doping suspensions:
4 years—Kipyegon Bett (Kenya, 800), Eunice Jepkirui (Kenya, marathon), Eunice Kirwa (Bahrein, marathon), Jarrion Lawson (US, long jump);
1 year—Yelena Mashinistova (Russia, long jump);
9 months—Felix Kirwa (Kenya, marathon). □
