Australia’s premier hurdler Liz Clay will miss the Commonwealth Games after fracturing her foot in a heavy fall during the 100m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships.
Clay is one of three Australian track athletes to withdraw from next week’s competition, joining sprinter Riley Day and middle-distance runner Joseph Deng on the injury list.
While contesting the 100m hurdles heats on Sunday, Clay appeared on track to place third and qualify for the final, before clipping the seventh hurdle and dramatically crashing to the ground.
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The 27-year-old was assisted off the track by medical staff, with scans later revealing a fracture in her left foot.
With the opening heats of the 100m hurdles at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games only 12 days away, in no circumstances will Clay be fit to compete.
Clay finished third in her heat at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, forgoing an automatic qualifying spot for the final. However, her time of 12.71 seconds was the second fastest running by an Australian women, behind only Sally Pearson.
Team Australia chef de mission Petria Thomas said it was devastating to have three athletes ruled out with injury so close to the start of the Games.
“To make a Commonwealth Games team is a dream for so many young Australians and to see these three athletes forced out of our team so close to competition is a huge disappointment for them, the athletics team and the greater team.
“We all feel for them and on behalf of the whole team we wish all three athletes a speedy recovery and I have no doubt they will bounce back on future teams.”
Athletics Australia is currently working with Commonwealth Games Australia to fill the vacant positions.
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