New Zealand shot putter Jacko Gill has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow because of injury.
Gill injured himself while warming up at a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting in Madrid last week. It was to have been his final competition before the Glasgow games, which start later this week.
Their one-two finish was one of the big moments of the Games.
Gill, now 31, is a two-time world junior champion and has also been national champion twice.
NZ team chef de mission Nigel Avery has sent the team’s best wishes to Gill.
“The whole New Zealand Team whānau are wishing Jacko a smooth and speedy recovery. We know he’ll be gutted to be missing the Games but will be recovering well and cheering on his team mates from back home in New Zealand.”
New Zealand will still have two competitors in the men’s shot put, with defending champion Walsh joined by the promising Nick Palmer.
Walsh won the shot put in Madrid, with a throw of 21.71m, while Palmer was sixth with 19.93m.