Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of nine England athletes to withdraw from this summer’s Commonwealth Games, as the event continues to be dogged by difficulties in the run-up. Original hosts Victoria, Australia, effectively paid AUS$380million (£199m) to relinquish their duties in July 2023, fearing losses running into the billions. Glasgow subsequently stepped in to stage a leaner, scaled-back competition, featuring just 10 sports compared to 19 at the Birmingham Games four years ago.
Having previously hosted the Games in 2014, Glasgow was well placed to offer a solution through a condensed format utilising existing venues in order to keep taxpayer costs to a minimum. Yet several of the event’s headline athletes have now chosen to withdraw.
Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith are amongst the most high-profile names to pull out. The pair are two of nine members of the England athletics squad to step down on the very day of the opening ceremony – delivering a significant blow to competition organisers.
Fellow Olympic medallists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryll Neita have also confirmed their withdrawals, alongside Amber Anning, Zac Sneddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles and Jona Efoloko.
Liverpool-born Johnson-Thompson had been widely anticipated to challenge for a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games titles, having previously claimed gold at both the Gold Coast and Birmingham editions of the competition. However, the 33 year old is still recuperating from an injury and has opted to give priority to next month’s European Championships in Birmingham.
Taking to Instagram, she said: “I’m gutted to have to pull out of this year’s Commonwealth Games. I was so looking forward to competing on home soil and having the chance to defend my Commonwealth title!”.
“Although the injury I picked up earlier this season has improved, I haven’t been able to get back to the level I need to compete at my best. After discussing it with my team, we’ve made the difficult decision to focus on giving myself the best chance of being ready for the European Championships, so working very hard to be there later this season.
“Missing a championship is never easy, but I know it’s the right decision. I can’t wait to be back competing again soon.”
The gruelling schedule has presented a dilemma for a number of top-tier athletes, including Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who chose to sit out the Glasgow Games.
High-profile stars who have previously withdrawn from the Games include multiple Olympic swimming medallists Kaylee McKeown and Summer McIntosh of Australia and Canada respectively, along with Hodgkinson’s 800m rival Mary Moraa of Kenya.
Away from the athletics track, triple Olympic gymnastics champion Max Whitlock was compelled to abandon his comeback attempt earlier this month owing to injury. The Commonwealth Games are set to run from Thursday until 2nd August, while the European Athletics Championships are scheduled to take place between August 10-16.