Long-jumper Tomlinson in injury scare
Chris Tomlinson could miss Olympics
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Saturday, 26, Jul 2008 08:38
British long-jump star Chris Tomlinson faces a race against time to be fit for the Olympics this month.
Tomlinson was competing at the London Grand Prix today, but he was forced withdraw in the middle of the competition after he landed awkwardly and seemed to injure his ankle.
"It's very sore at the moment, I'm absolutely devastated," said Tomlinson, who came fifth at the last Olympics in Athens. "At the moment, I can't even do a calf raise."
Tomlinson feared the worst, but early medical checks at the Crystal Palace track revealed that Tomlinson had suffered cramps – but he will receive further examination to make sure the injury isn't more serious.
It was better news for Tomlinson's compatriot Greg Rutherford, who won the event with a leap of 8.16 metres.
Elsewhere, it was good news for gold medal hope Kelly Sotherton as the heptathlete won the women's four-event challenge.
Sotherton comfortably won the event and was over a 1000 points ahead of the second placed Gi-Gi Johnson.
"It was great to win this weekend," said Sotherton. "My jump was fantastic, the shot good as well and despite not being able to run as hard as I normally would round the bend in the 200m because of an injury I picked up in the hurdles, I still got close to a season's best.
"My doctor and physio both told me not to run (on Saturday), but I wanted to run and to get that time when I couldn't go flat out is obviously encouraging. Overall I think the weekend has shown that I'm on the up and on course for Beijing."