Australian 1500-metre runner Melissa Duncan will miss three months of competition after breaking her foot just 16 weeks out from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Duncan was selected as Australia's competitor in the event despite missing last month's national final with an ankle injury, and she has now confirmed a subsequent issue while training in the streets of Melbourne has resulted in a fractured foot.
"Unfortunately, I've been told I have a fracture and torn ligament underneath my foot," she posted on Instagram on Thursday.
"Not the greatest news a few months out from the Olympics."
Duncan will spend plenty of time in the pool through the next six weeks in an attempt to maintain her fitness and training, and will miss the upcoming Diamond League races.
It will leave her just three weeks to be at her prime for the event in Rio, given the heats for the 1500m race fall on the first evening of athletics competition on August 12.
