Concerns over injuries have caused British Athletics to withdraw Britain’s women’s 4x100m team entry from this weekend’s IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas as a precautionary measure.
According to a British Athletics press release, Daryll Neita [hamstring] and Desiree Henry [knee], members of the 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medal team, have both picked up slight injury concerns, along with squad members Ashleigh Nelson and Imani Lansiquot [hamstring].
Performance Director for British Athletics Neil Black noted that “across the entire team we are taking the World Relays incredibly seriously, but with three of our 4x100m strike four runners from Rio, plus Ashleigh and Imani, all showing signs of minor injury concerns, we have to look at the big picture.
“As the home nation, we are already assured of qualification for the World Championships in London this summer, so there is no need to take any unnecessary risks. [The year] 2017 is an even bigger year for us than 2016, so all our decisions are made with a long term view of having our top athletes fit and competing to win medals in front of a home crowd in London.”
From the original squad selected and 4x100m World Class Performance Plan (WCPP), only Asha Philip and Jodie Williams remain fully fit to travel to the Bahamas, the release said.
Black added that “We did consider drafting in Shannon Hylton and Sophie Papps, who are included in our 2017 4x100m squad as development athletes, but not part of the WCPP. However, due to valid performance reasons, neither were available to compete.”
Dina Asher-Smith, the fourth member of the 4x100m team from Rio 2016, was originally not selected for the World Relays squad so she could continue to rehab from a foot injury.
The full team for the Relays consists of:
Men’s sprints squad: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Ojie Edoburun, Adam Gemili, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, Danny Talbot, and Chijindu Ujah.
4x400m: Theo Campbell, Jarryd Dunn, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Martyn Rooney, Delano Williams, and Rabah Yousif
Women’s 4x400m: Eilidh Doyle, Emily Diamond, Kelly Massey, Laviai Nielsen, Anyika Onuora, and Christine Ohuruogu.