World and Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha has confirmed that he will miss next month's world athletics championships in Moscow.
The 24-year-old world record holder twisted his knee in training in New York six weeks ago, which forced him to skip the Kenyan national trials in Nairobi last Saturday and means he will now not defend his title at the August 10-18 worlds.
"I am recovering well but unfortunately it is very slow. At this point in time I don't think I can recover in time for the world championships," said Rudisha in a statement released by Athletics Kenya on Tuesday.
Rudisha's coach, Colm O'Connell, said that the athlete had hoped he would improve fast enough to start training, but with the world championships only three weeks away, there was not sufficient time.
"It is a big disappointment. The expectations from the country were very high," said O'Connell.
"However, his absence should give other athletes the opportunity to compete in Moscow."
Athletic Kenya's senior vice-chairman David Okeyo added: "It is unfortunate that he will not be able to defend his title. We cannot replace him with another athlete since his wild card cannot allow a replacement."
