Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas has pulled out of the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.
The 28-year-old American sprinter has been battling the issue since May, and despite efforts to manage it, the condition worsened in July, forcing her and her coach to prioritize long-term health over competition.
Thomas, who also secured relay gold medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m at the Paris Olympics, admitted she was not at her peak during the US trials in Eugene last month, where she finished third in the 200m with a time well outside her personal best.
Announcing her withdrawal, Thomas said she had accepted the need to take care of herself, stressing that recovery sometimes requires patience rather than persistence.
Despite the setback, Thomas expressed her support for Team USA athletes heading to Tokyo and promised fans she would return stronger. The World Championships are set to run from September 13–21.
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