Triple Commonwealth Games 1500m medallist Nick Willis has been forced to withdraw from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
A stress reaction in his fibula, diagnosed five weeks ago has been improving with a range of cross training activities, but the 34 year old is yet to resume running.
“I had hoped that I would only miss four weeks of training, but that was really a best case scenario,” said Willis, announcing his decision.
“I am still at least two weeks out from being able to run again, so the decision not to compete at the games has been made for me by my leg, it’s not even an option sadly.
“I would have loved to have worn the black singlet on Australian soil, like I did in Melbourne back in 2006, but injuries are part and parcel with being a runner.”
Willis, from Lower Hutt, has a wonderful record at the Commonwealth Games, having medalled in all three Commonwealth Games he has attended – gold in Melbourne 2006, bronze in Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014.
The Michigan-based runner also has two Olympic 1500m medals, silver from Beijing 2008 and bronze from Rio 2016.
Willis is already planning ahead after the disappointment of having to pull out of the Gold Coast Games.
“The goal now is to prepare for Tokyo 2020, and take every necessary measure to make sure I am healthy for another shot at the Olympic podium,” added Willis.
