Jake Wightman, the former world 1,500m champion, has been ruled out of the Olympics due to a hamstring injury. British team officials confirmed the news on Thursday, announcing that the 30-year-old Scot will miss the 800m race in Paris.
Wightman’s absence is a significant blow to Team GB. He had been aiming to compete in the 800m after securing a discretionary place on the team following his impressive victory at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. However, his recent struggles to return to peak form have been well documented.
A torn calf muscle forced Wightman to withdraw from the British trials earlier this year. Despite this setback, he was given a chance to compete in the 800m in Paris. However, the hamstring injury has now dashed his hopes of competing in the Games.
Elliot Giles will now replace Wightman in the 800m race. Giles, a fellow British athlete, has been in impressive form this season and will be hoping to make the most of this opportunity on the world stage.
