Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Damien Warner withdrew from the decathlon at the World Championships in Athletics after injuring his hamstrings in the 400m, which was the last event of the first day.
Warner started the 400m off the blocks well, but after 120m he stopped and fell, grabbing his hamstring. Warner remained on the track for several minutes before being helped up and off the track.
The 32-year-old decathlete from London, Ontario. had a 75-point lead heading into the fifth event over Zachery Ziemek of the United States team.
“I don’t know what happened”, Warner Told Radio-Canada Sports. “I felt my hamstrings pulling several times. I felt like something was wrong and I couldn’t go on.
Warner has had a long road back after battling injuries after winning gold at the World Indoors last spring.
“I’m just going to go back and hope it heals and do what all the other athletes do and get stronger, and hopefully get back on top of the world once again,” Warner said.
The reigning Olympic champion was looking to win his gold medal at the world championships after winning bronze and silver before. Warner clocked the fastest time in the 100m and followed that up with the longest jump in the long jump. He had his best seasons in the high jump and shot put before suffering his hamstring injury.
Canadian companion Pierce LePage ran a personal best 400m 46.84 to move into second pace with five events to go. The second day of the decathlon will start with the 110m hurdles in the morning, followed by the discus throw and the pole vault. Decathlon action kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET
The 2022 World Championships in Athletics takes place July 15-25 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. All the action will be brought to you by Canadian running and Asics Canada. follow us on Twitter on instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.
