Mystery injury costs Schippers golden chance at 100m.
RIO OLYMPIC - Dafne Schippers blamed injury after the Dutchwoman finished a disappointing fifth in the Olympic 100 meters final on Saturday but both refused to elaborate on her problems.
Schippers told Dutch media she had been suffering from a “physical problem over the last days” but refused to provide any details after finishing out of the medals in a race in which she was expected to challenge for gold.
Coach Bart Bennema said Schippers had picked up an injury in training.
“But we don’t want to say more to make her competitors aware," he said. "I was glad she could make the start.”
Bennema said his charge had only been able to train without pain on the morning of the final.
“It was a physical discomfort that had no apparent cause. Her body has to endure a lot. It has never happened like this before and, at this time, is no good,” he added. “But there is no reason for concern about the 200m."
Schippers is favorite for the longer sprint distance after winning last year’s 200m world championship title.