Rai Benjamin cancels European trip, Karsten Warholm clash off

400m hurdles silver medalist Benjamin and world record holder Warholm are now expected to meet in the Olympic final.

Published : Jul 02, 2021 23:10 IST

World 400m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin has decided not to compete in Europe before the Tokyo Olympics.
World 400m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin has decided not to compete in Europe before the Tokyo Olympics.
lightbox-info

World 400m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin has decided not to compete in Europe before the Tokyo Olympics.

World 400m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin has decided not to compete in Europe before the Tokyo Olympics in a move that wipes out a showdown with newly-minted world record holder Karsten Warholm in Monaco on July 9.

"The time is very tight - I leave for Tokyo in three weeks - so we decided not to go to Europe," Benjamin said in a statement to Reuters on Friday.

The American had run the then second fastest 400m hurdles ever in winning the U.S. Olympic trials in 46.83 seconds last month.

READ:

But Norway’s Warholm went even faster in Oslo on Thursday, crushing Kevin Young’s 1992 world record with his run of 46.70.

"Prior to the trials, I initially planned to run in Europe in Budapest and Monaco,” Benjamin said, adding that after the trials he returned to Los Angeles to talk with his coaches.

"They decided it was best to take an easier week this week and ramp my training back up next week to be best for Tokyo," he said.

Benjamin and Warholm are expected to meet in the Olympic final.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment