2010 Commonwealth Games lose another athlete
Mohammed “Mo” Farah is one of Briton’s ace runners and has proved his mettle in both the 10,000m and 5000m races. This year saw Farah taking gold for both the 10,000m and 5000m in the 2010 European Athletics Championships held in Barcelona. 2010 has so far been Farah’s best-ever track season and Farah does not want it tainted by fatigue or exhaustion. Consequently, Farah has announced that he will not be representing England in this year’s 2010 Commonwealth Games, taking place in Delhi from 3rd October.
Farah said, “My body is telling me it is time to take a break from training and racing. I have been competing since the start of the year at cross-country road and track and I feel that I need a few weeks off...”
Farah came to England at the mere age of 8 and won his first major title at the European Athletics Junior Championship in 2001. Since then the climb has predominantly been uphill for Farah and his track record. This May saw Farah setting a new record as the first Briton to run the 5000m in under 13 minutes.
The Somalian born athlete is keeping his eyes on the prize, pulling out now in order to be better prepared for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Farah is one of many athletes, who have decided to sit through the 2010 Commonwealth Games in favour of being well rested for the winter training sessions and other major games in 2011. The England team for Delhi is already short of Goldie Sayers, fourth in javelin at 2008 Olympics, Jessica Enis, Jenny Meadows, Jemma Simpson, Martyn Rooney, Michael Rimmer and Perri Shakes-Drayton.
With top athletes withdrawing from the event the England team may be struggling at Delhi this year but it is not alone. David Rushida, world record holder for 800m, has decided he will not be competing in Delhi either, leaving Kenya’s team short of a record-breaking sportsman.
Rushida ran the 800m race in 1 minute 41.01 seconds this year in Italy, improving the earlier record he set in Berlin this year as well. Like Farah, Rushida too believes it is time that his body rests so he can perform better in the games next year.
With various athletes calling it quits for this season in order to prepare for the big games in 2011 and 2012, the importance of this year’s Commonwealth Games is somewhat in jeopardy. Already the run up to these games was littered with international concerns about dangers to both health and security. Some Olympic champions cited issues with the timing of the event, while others cited fear of burn out and decided not to compete.
On the other hand, this withdrawal makes way for younger, less experienced athletes and gives them a chance to shine and get a taste of international competitions. Many high profile participants such as 16 year old diver Daley from England’s team are excited at the prospect of the games in Delhi and are not fazed by security or health speculations. They place complete trust in the organizers of the event, just as it should be.
Tags: