Jake Wightman, the former world 1500m champion, has been forced to pull out of the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a hamstring injury. This unfortunate setback for the 30-year-old middle-distance runner comes as he was preparing to compete in the 800m event, having recovered from a foot injury in January 2023 that kept him sidelined for 13 months.
The announcement was made by Team GB on social media platform X, and confirmed by British Athletics. Elliot Giles will replace Wightman in the 800m, with the competition starting on August 7.
The official post stated, “Jake Wightman has been forced to withdraw from Paris 2024 due to a hamstring injury. Elliot Giles has been called up as a late athlete replacement and will race in the men’s 800m at his third Games.”
Wightman had previously hinted that Paris 2024 might be his last Olympics. He finished 10th in the 1500m at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics and won the world title in the 1500m in Eugene in 2021, defeating Jakob Ingebrigtsen by a narrow margin. That same year, he also earned a European silver and a Commonwealth Games bronze in the 1500m.
However, injuries have plagued Wightman’s career. A combination of foot, shin, and hamstring issues kept him out of competition for over a year, causing him to miss the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. His compatriot, Josh Kerr, claimed the 1500m title in Wightman’s absence. Wightman also had to withdraw from the British Championships, which served as Olympic trials, due to a calf injury. Despite this, he was selected by Team GB for the 800m event.
“There was no way I did not want to be at those trials because the consequences were horrific, potentially,” Wightman said earlier this month. “I feel very lucky to have been given a lifeline still because that could have easily been season’s done. I would have always wanted to double (in the 800m and 1500m) if I could have, but I’m just glad to be able to go over one of them and show that I can.”
Wightman also shared his thoughts on the 800m event, “Watching Tokyo, I watched that 800m (Olympic) final, I thought, ‘I would have loved to be in that final’ because I felt like I could have had a good chance. But now I’ve got to put my money where my mouth is and see if I can actually do that.”
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the 1500m, Wightman was optimistic about competing in the 800m. “I think if I was to go and run really well over 800 I would forget about the 1500m pretty quickly. And the way I’m looking at it is it kind of puts more respect on my career,” he said.
Wightman’s future in athletics remains uncertain as he contemplates the longevity of his career. “Beyond this year I don’t know how long I’ll go. Part of it is whether it’s a sustainable lifestyle for me. It’s tough, and it’s a good career because I’m doing something I love and enjoy, but I’m also earning money from it I didn’t expect to earn. Everything I’m doing beyond this year is probably a bonus on top. Whether that’s one year, two years, I just can’t see myself going for another four years and being 34. I’m not saying definitely, but it’s probably likely.”
Jake Wightman’s withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympics is a significant loss for Team GB and marks a poignant moment in his impressive career. Fans and fellow athletes alike will be watching and hoping for his recovery and return to the track.
