NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Olympic 800-meter champion and world-record holder David Rudisha withdrew from the world championships on Monday after straining a thigh muscle in a training session in Kenya.
The double world and Olympic champion said an MRI scan on the right-leg injury showed it would not heal in time for the championships, which open at London’s 2012 Olympic Stadium on Friday. The 800 heats are on Saturday.
The injury happened last week, but Kenyan team officials gave Rudisha as long as possible to see if there was any chance of him recovering in time to defend his world title. The team leaves for London on Tuesday.
“The injury occurred in the last 200 meters of my last training session,” Rudisha said. “I’m disappointed for not defending my title and running for my country but I have to focus on recovery to prolong my career.”
Rudisha announced his withdrawal on Twitter , saying it was “sad and disappointing.” Rudisha’s tweet was accompanied by a photo of his injured leg with strapping on it.