Injured Tomlinson delays Olympic departure
LONDON (AFP) — Injured British long jumper Chris Tomlinson is to delay his departure for the Beijing Olympics while he undergoes treatment on a torn calf muscle which could end his medal hopes.
Tomlinson, the world indoor silver medallist, withdrew from the London Grand Prix on Saturday and the 26-year-old underwent a scan in London on Monday.
That scan has revealed a torn right calf muscle which means he will not fly out to Macau with the Great Britain team-mate on Saturday as planned.
A UK Athletics statement said: "Instead he will stay in the UK and undergo an intense period of rehabilitation at the UK Athletics North London High Performance Centre in Lee Valley, where - under the guidance of the UK Athletics Medical Team - he will attempt to regain competitive fitness to enable him to compete in Beijing."
Tomlinson, whose event is due to start in Beijing on August 16, insisted he would be "keeping my head high" as he battled to get fit in time for the Games.
"It is a big blow for me, but I have just got to work with it.
"When I was on the runway at Crystal Palace, my calf seized up on me. We were hopeful that it was cramp, but deep down I had fears it was a tear and the scan confirmed that.
"I am now getting well looked after by the UK Athletics medical staff and I have every confidence in them.
"I will have a fitness test in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime I am keeping my head high and trying to stay positive.
"The main priority for me now is being on that runway on August 16. If I get there fit and in good shape I know I have got the ability to jump as far as anyone in the world."
UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins said of Tomlinson: "In his condition, there is little to be gained by travelling to Macau.
"The best course of action available to us is to keep him here in the UK and give him every possible chance of regaining fitness and hopefully flying directly to Beijing.
"The next few days will be crucial in his recovery before we make the final assessment as to whether he is fit enough to perform at the Olympics."
