Here’s the latest in the aches, pains & eligibility departments
An All-America indoors and out for Florida State in the shot last year, Austin Droogsma has gone pro, but not in track. He has been signed by the New York Giants of the NFL to play guard.
November’s childbirth now behind her, 33-year-old Allyson Felix has returned to full training and plans to compete at the USATF Championships. “It’s going, and, right now, I’m fully committed,” she says. “Nationals is going to be my focus. I’ll probably compete a little bit before then, but I’m not exactly sure.”
Georgia frosh 200/400 star Elija Godwin was impaled on a javelin while doing a backward sprint drill. The spear went into his back and punctured his lung. He is recovering well but won’t return to competition this year.
After competing in the Pac-12’s 1500, an off-form Blake Haney announced that was his last race for Oregon, saying, “A nagging Achilles injury left me unable to train since early March.”
Colorado’s Joe Klecker has a stress injury in his foot. He said on Instagram, “A few weeks into healing but being smart and not pushing the envelope running the remainder of the outdoor season.”
ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT…
Poland won the World Relays 4×4 without one of its regulars, Iga Baumgart-Witan, who was injured after a collision in practice with another runner.
Belgium’s Kevin Borlée missed the World Relays because of a hamstring injury.
Former World Junior javelin champ Neeraj Chopra of India had elbow surgery in early May and will likely miss Doha.
Eilidh Doyle pulled off the British team at the World Relays because of a leg injury.
Steven Gardiner strained his Achilles just prior to the World Relays, too late for the Bahamas to fly in a 4×4 replacement.
Discus world champ Andrius Gudžius of Lithuania will start the season late after a late April surgery to remove a plate that had earlier been inserted in hs leg.
Olympic steeple gold medalist Conseslus Kipruto is out until at least August. He withdrew from the Doha DL with what has been diagnosed as the early stages of a stress fracture in the talus of his left foot.
Abraham Kiptum, World Record holder in the half marathon, has been provisionally suspending pending an investigation into biological passport irregularities.
Last year’s No. 3 in the World Rankings, Estonian javelinist Magnus Kirt is taking a break from competition because of lower back pain.
Eunice Kirwa of Bahrain, the Olympic silver medalist in the marathon, has been provisionally suspended after a positive test for EPO. The violation came post-Rio, so won’t affect her medal standing.
Vault WR holder Renaud Lavillenie is postponing his outdoor start because of tendinitis in his thigh.
Christophe Lemaitre did not compete for France at the World Relays because of pain behind his right knee.
Polish high jump star Kamila Lićwinko is returning well from last year’s pregnancy, and has already cleared 6-1½ (1.87) off six steps.
Long jump World champ Luvo Manyonga skipped the Shanghai competition at the last minute because of stomach problems.
Now 36, Tero Pitkämäki is fully rehabbed after knee surgery last August and has started on heavier training. The ’07 world champ plans on a full competition schedule.
British hurdler Tiffany Porter will miss the ’19 season as she is expecting her first child.
German shot putter David Storl is delaying his season opener because of back problems.
He of the half beard, Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi reports having a slight bruise on his right foot. It is not thought to be serious.
Olympic gold medalist Matej Tóth of Slovakia, will miss the European Walk Cup because right hamstring problems have limited his training.
Johannes Vetter, Germany’s reigning world champ in the javelin, withdrew from the Shanghai DL with an inflamed tendon in his foot.
New Zealand’s world shot champ Tom Walsh is throwing with a shaved head now, having lost a bet with his coach.
Doping Suspensions
12 years—Kseniya Savina (Russia, 800);
4 years—Lupita González (Mexico, walks), Bisluke Kiplagat (Kenya, marathon), Victor Miano (Kenya, marathon), Glory Nathaniel (Nigeria, 400H), Maria Ponomaryova (Russia, walks), Purity Talam (Kenya, marathon), Caroline Yatich (Kenya, marathon), Hilary Yego (Kenya, marathon);
2 years, 6 months—Svetlana Karamasheva (Russia, 1500);
2 years—Isaac Chebuyo (Kenya, marathon), Irene Jeptoo (Kenya, marathon), Takuya Matsubara (Japan, HT);
1 year—Yelena Mashinistova (Russia, LJ);
6 months—Ruslan Khalikov (Russia, SP). □
