Yet another World Championship contender has pulled out of this year’s meet in Kazan, Russia, as Spaniard Mireia Belmonte made the decision on Sunday to rest her ailing shoulder and withdraw from the meet to protect her chances at the Olympics next year.
In mid-June, Belmonte’s coach Fred Vergnoux told SwimSwam that Belmonte was suffering from bursitis, which is a condition that causes painful rubbing in the joints. Â That resulted in Belmonte withdrawing from the Mare Nostrum series, as well as this summer’s Spanish Nationals.
Most recently, Belmonte announced that competing at Worlds was still on the table, but with a reduced schedule, as the multi-discipline talent dropped the grueling 800m and 1500m freestyle events, still leaving the star with a monster schedule of the 200 IM/400 IM, 200m butterfly and 200m/400m freestyle races.
Heeding her coach’s advice, as well as that of her surrounding medical support, Belmonte revealed this morning that has indeed made the decision to official withdraw from the 2015 World Championships.
Belmonte took silver medals in both the 200 fly and the 800 free at the 2012 Olympic Games, and won 4 World Championships in short course meters in December in Doha.
Add this withdrawal to those already announced, including France’s Yannick Agnel, Australia’s James Magnussen, Brittany Elmslie and Kylie Palmer, Japan’s Kosuke Hagino, as well as USA’s Michael Phelps and Korea’s Park Tae-Hwan, among others and the competition is shaping up to be one a contest of attrition.
If you have shoulder bursitis under stem cell treatment as Mirela had – whydid she swim for a 10 km spot at Spanish trials?
Is this a case of coaching negligence or a personality masochism acquired through a mega training regime ?
We only have 1 set of shoulders – why just why? It seems cruel to me .
Hoszu, hoshii and Adams
I could imagine Katinka jumping in now for the chance of another medal. (I know….I know….) đŸ˜‰
Such a shame for Mireia and the sport – She’ll be back in 2016. Agree with Beachmouse though, 200 fly could go anywhere now.. Good chance for the German lady, Hentke, to grab a gold.
Without her and the Chinese ladies, the women’s 200 fly presents a big opportunity for someone who had been in the second tier to step up and grab a medal.
Hoshi? Hentke? Groves? McLaughlin?
Hoshi
Seriously think Groves (AUS) is in with a huge shot here!
Disappointment after disappointment. This is going to be the WC of those who weren’t there. Their ghosts will haunt the pool.
đŸ˜¥
Poor Mireia… The gold in the 200m butterfly was totally for her, she’ll have to wait till Rio đŸ˜‰