Former world champion and current 1500m world record holder Genzebe Dibaba will not be competing at the World Championships this year, pulling out due to a foot injury.
The Ethiopian has had a strong season so far, sitting 2nd in the 1500m world lists and winning two Diamond League meetings in Rome and Rabat.
However, her latest Diamond League appearance in Zurich, where she finished fourth, saw her diagnosed with the injury that will see her promising season end without a world championship campaign.
The 28-year-old was undoubtedly a strong favourite for medals, expected to go to-to-toe with the likes of 1500m Diamond Trophy winner Sifan Hassan, defending world champion Faith Kipyegon and European champion Laura Muir.
All three and indeed some others may be fancying their chance of a medal slightly more after hearing this news, with Muir looking to pick up Britain’s first world medal in 1500m since Hannah England in 2011.
Provisional entry lists for the championships in Doha, from 27 September to 6 October, can be found here.
