No more Heptathlons for Ruckstuhl – European Athletics (EAA) – News

The Netherlands' 2006 European Athletics Championships Heptathlon silver medallist Karin Ruckstuhl has had to stop competing in multi-event competitions on medical advice but has now set her sights on being a top-class long jumper.

Ruckstuhl, her country's female athlete of the year in 2004 and 2006, had surgery on a herniated disc in her back in 2008 but continued to suffer from problems.

To add to her woes, she suffered an Achilles tendon injury in February, which ruled out any chance of competing in this year's World Indoor Championships.

"There is no doubt that this is a difficult decision but it's the only right decision," said Ruckstuhl. "However, I don't get any discomfort when I do the Long Jump and my goal to do well at major championships remains unchanged."

Her decision was taken in consultation with leading sports doctor Peter Vergouwen the Dutch multi-events head coach Ronald Vetter.

 "Since my problems in 2008, I've had to take into account the possibility that my weakened back would not survive the heavy training load that a successful multi-events athlete has to do. Perseverance with the Heptathlon would be irresponsible and take me nowhere.

"I'm glad I made this decision at this early stage in the season because my Long Jump training is going smoothly," she added.

Ruckstuhl memorable won her silver medal in Göteborg four years ago, by setting still standing Dutch national record of 6423 points, moving up from the bronze medal position ahead of the final event with an outstanding 800m personal best of 2:11.97.

The 29-year-old from Utrecht also won the 2006 World Indoor Championships Pentathlon silver medal and then a bronze medal at the indoor discipline the following year at the European Indoor Championships.

She has a Long Jump best of 6.64m, set in 2007, and is now chasing Sharon Jaklofsky's long-standing Dutch record of 6.75m, which has been on the books since 1996.

Ruckstuhl also competed in the Long Jump at the last European Athletics Championships but didn't make the final.

European Athletics (EAA) – News