Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Niyonsaba to miss World Athletics Championships

Kenya’s marathon runner Peres Jepchirchir will miss the upcoming World Athletics Championships set to take place in Eugene, United States of America from 15-24 July 2022.

Jepchirchir was one of the favourites for the title having also won the New York marathon last year as well as the Boston Marathon in April but the reigning Olympic champion will not take any part in the race owing to a hip injury that has successfully ruled her out.

"The hip and the whole leg is painful. I am so disappointed but I would rather not aggravate the injury since we still have another world event next year before my Olympic title defense at the 2024 Paris Games," Jepchirchir told Nation.

Back in Tokyo, Jepchirchir beat compatriot Brigid Kosgei and American Molly Seidel to win gold in Tokyo last year.

In Jepchirchir's absence, compatriot Ruth Chepngetich, who is the defending world champion and has the fastest time this season, is expected to lead the charge for Kenya in the women’s marathon alongside Judith Jeptum Korir and Angela Tanui.

In the USA games, Burundian long-distance runner Francine Niyonsaba will also miss the event due to a stress fracture.

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The 2016 Olympic 800m silver medalist, who was banned from competing in her favoured 800m distance in 2019 due to overly-high testosterone levels, had been entered for the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

“About one month ago, I had a beginning of a stress fracture and we did everything possible to recover. I am almost okay now but I could not train for all this period so I am not in the shape that can allow me to perform the way I wanted. I am extremely sorry but I have no choice than to cancel my world championships in Eugene,” she posted on her social media platform.

Niyonsaba, the only Burundian woman to win an Olympic medal, had success over 3,000m at the Doha Diamond League in May. At last year's Olympics, she finished fifth in the women's 10,000m final with a national record.