Eilish McColgan, the renowned Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion, has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest. The decision comes after McColgan failed to recover in time from a knee injury she sustained earlier this year.

A Year of Ups and Downs

McColgan’s year has been marked by significant achievements and challenges. She clinched silver at the European Championships and secured gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. To add to her list of accomplishments, the 32-year-old runner broke Paula Radcliffe’s 21-year-old British record in March. Her knee injury in the spring, though, forced her to miss the London Marathon in April.

McColgan’s Statement

In a heartfelt message on Twitter, McColgan expressed her disappointment, stating, “We tried everything to be race ready for this weekend, but unfortunately I ran out of time.” She emphasised the significance of the upcoming Olympics and the high stakes involved, implying that her choice was taken as a precaution.

Looking Ahead

Despite the setback, McColgan remains optimistic about her future endeavours. She resumed training in May and has been preparing with the Great Britain team in Switzerland. While winning gold in Hungary felt like a distant dream, McColgan is excited to compete in road races this autumn. She also intends to take some time off after that to prepare for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

A Challenging Journey

McColgan’s journey to the World Championships was fraught with challenges. There were initial doubts about her inclusion in the team for the Worlds. After deliberations, it was decided that she would give her best at the British team camp in Switzerland. However, the choice not to participate in the Budapest tournament was deemed appropriate.

In conclusion, while Eilish McColgan’s absence from the World Athletics Championships is a significant loss for the athletics community, fans and supporters are hopeful to see her return stronger and achieve greater heights in the near future.