Commonwealth Games: Worn-out Hamish Kerr withdraws from Glasgow high jump
New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to physical and mental burnout. Despite his status as an Olympic champion, he decided he was not in a position to compete at his best.
Why it matters
The withdrawal highlights the increasing focus on athlete mental health and the physical toll of elite-level sports schedules.
New Zealand high jumper Hamish Kerr has officially withdrawn from this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, due to burnout.
The Olympic and world champion was last month named among the 21 track and field athletes for the Games, which started on Friday, despite not competing internationally this season.
Kerr sparked doubt over his Games prospects earlier this month in a social media post , explaining the demands of the last few months had caught up with him, and that he was taking a break from training.
At the time, Athletics New Zealand said the 29-year-old would be at the Games, but a decision on whether he contests the high jump would be made "closer to the time".
The defending Commonwealth Games champion had been due to compete in the men's high jump final on Tuesday morning( NZT), but confirmed overnight he would not be competing.
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