Australia’s premier hurdler Liz Clay will miss the Commonwealth Games after fracturing her foot in a heavy fall during the 100m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships.
Clay is one of three Australian track athletes to withdraw from next week’s competition, joining sprinter Riley Day and middle-distance runner Joseph Deng on the injury list.
While contesting the 100m hurdles heats on Sunday, Clay appeared on track to place third and qualify for the final, before clipping the seventh hurdle and dramatically crashing to the ground.
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The 27-year-old was assisted off the track by medical staff, with scans later revealing a fracture in her left foot.
With the opening heats of the 100m hurdles at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games only 12 days away, in no circumstances will Clay be fit to compete.
Clay finished third in her heat at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, forgoing an automatic qualifying spot for the final. However, her time of 12.71 seconds was the second fastest running by an Australian women, behind only Sally Pearson.
MORE TO COME.
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