Three members of Australia’s Commonwealth Games track and field team set to compete in Birmingham 2022 have withdrawn from competition.
Riley Day (Women’s 200m and Women’s 4x100m Relay) and Joseph Deng (Men’s 800m) have both stood down from the team, unable to race at a competitive level due to pre-existing injuries, while Liz Clay (Women’s 100m Hurdles) has been forced out of competition after fracturing her left foot at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon this week.
Commonwealth Games Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said:
“To make a Commonwealth Games team is a dream for so many young Australians and to see these three athletes forced out of our team so close to competition is a huge disappointment for them, the athletics team and the greater team.
“We all feel for them and on behalf of the whole team we wish all three athletes a speedy recovery and I have no doubt they will bounce back on future teams.”
Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley added:
“The Commonwealth Games is a competition that holds a special place in the hearts of all Australians and these three athletes have worked incredibly hard to be selected. Injury is a difficult circumstance for any athlete and we wish Riley, Joseph and Liz all the very best.”
Athletics Australia is currently working with CGA on the replacement of athletes.
By Athletics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia
Posted: 25/7/2022
