It was confirmed yesterday, February 18, that James Dasaolu would be unable to fulfill his spot at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, in Sopot.
The British number one, who had clocked the qualifying time and won the British Championships, had to pull out due to an injury he sustained at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix last Saturday, February 15.
The Steve Fudge coached athlete showed off his current form in Birmingham with a personal best and world leading time of 6.47 seconds in his semi-final, and went on to secure victory in the final despite grasping his hamstring in the closing stages.
Dasaolu was one of Britain’s main gold medal winning contenders for Poland, but in his absence Dwain Chambers and Richard Kilty will fly the British flag.
Over the moon to have been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Indoor championships with Dwain Chambers in the 60m #proud !
— Richard Kilty (@RKilty1) February 18, 2014
“Unfortunately it will keep me out of competing at the World Indoors,” the Croydon Harrier spoke.
“I am disappointed but this is going to be a big year and I don’t want to take any risk at all. I will now concentrate on being 100% fit for the outdoor competitions.”
Been a good indoor season but I will be missing the world indoors and focusing on being fully fit for the outdoor season
— James Dasaolu (@JamesDasaolu) February 18, 2014
Dasaolu claimed silver at last years European Indoor Championships and will no doubt be hoping to translate that form onto the track this summer at the Commonwealth and European championships.
Last year he powered his way to number two on the British all-time rankings with his sensational 9.91 clocking at the British championships, before pulling out of the final later that day.
The Fudge coached athlete has built a reputation up over the years for being “fragile” do to persistent injuries, but Neil Black, UK Athletics’ performance director, insists this time it is only a “minor problem.”
With Dasaolu and Yunier Perez out of Sopot due to injuries and Jimmy Vicaut not set to compete in anymore indoor competitions, the top three men will no longer be lining up for the hotly contested men’s 60 metres.
The absence of the big names leaves the race wide open for the likes of Chambers, who won the event in 2010, and Kilty, to put their stamp on the distance this indoor season.
“You certainly can’t rule them out,” Black added.
