European Athletics (EA) – News – End of the World for Ennis-Hill

Jessica Ennis-Hill has failed in her bid to be fit for next week's IAAF World Championships in Moscow after suffering with Achilles tendon injury.

Ennis-Hill, the Olympic heptathlon champion and last year's European Athlete of the Year, announced on Wednesday that she just does not have enough time to be as competitive as she would want to be.

"Up until now we have been focusing on managing the pain so I can train and get myself in shape to go out there to win in Moscow – which has meant not focusing on finding a cure for the injury," said Ennis-Hill. "The time has now come to stop chasing fitness and look
to cure the problem."

Ennis was the toast of London 2012 with her victory 12 months ago but she has only competed three times since then, and not in any heptathlons.

After a minor javelin event in April, it was not until last week that she made her serious return at a European Permit meeting in Loughborough and then at the Diamond League in London on Saturday.

Ironically, she actually broke her javelin personal best with a throw of 48.33m in Loughborough and achieved 6.26m in the long jump. Then back at the Olympic Stadium, she ran 13.08 in the 100m hurdles – her best is the British record of 12.54 – but was last in the long jump with 6.16m.

Ennis-Hill said: "I am so glad I competed in London last weekend as it gave me a clear picture of where I am and it is definitely not where I want to be both regarding pain and also form.

"To say I am gutted is an understatement. No athlete likes to miss the opportunity to compete at a major Championship – they do not come round that often."

She has been battling to be ready and her decision comes just 24 hours after it was revealed that Russia's defending heptathlon world champion Tatyana Chernova will also not be in Moscow because of injury.

Ennis-Hill, the 2009 world champion, has had Achilles and heel pain since the start of June and her coach Toni Minichiello said: "It's not been the easiest or simplest of decisions.

"The pain management did improve and Jessica was able to compete in London, but the next few days have not seen enough improvement that would have made completing the two day, seven events of the heptathlon possible.

"I've also had to consider if competing at the world championships would have caused further damage, making any rehab more difficult. There are nine global medals up for grabs over the next three years not including Moscow. A long-term view has been taken."

British Athletics' Performance Director Neil Black said: "They've worked hard to bring her to a point where she was close to competing and it was great to see her in action last weekend, but no-one wants to see her competing in pain."

 European Athletics (EA) – News