IMG statement:
Steffensen to miss Sydney & Melbourne
After consultation with Athletics Australia medical officials, John Steffensen has been granted an exemption from running in the Sydney and Melbourne Telstra A-Series event, however Steffensen remains set to race in the Olympic Selection Trials in Brisbane later this month.
Steffensen has been training hard and slowly increasing his speedwork and intensity, however whilst his strength, fitness and speed have been encouraging he is not up to race pace. As a precautionary measure, his coach and his medical team felt that John should spend the next 2 weeks building his speedwork slowly in preparation for the nationals beginning on the 28th of February, rather than risk injury again on the eve of the national championships.
Steffensen said, “I’m disappointed not to be running in Sydney and Melbourne, as I was really looking forward to competing again after months of rehabilitation and training. Its frustrating for me to have to stay on the sidelines whilst we have such good 400 metre talent competing and I’m equally disappointed for the fans who were looking forward to seeing me out there. I just have to accept the advice of my coach and the medical staff and be patient with Beijing being my focus. I’m really looking forward to the Olympic trials in Brisbane”.