Olympic silver medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson and sprinter Dina Asher-Smith have pulled out of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, dealing a major blow to Team England on the day of the opening ceremony.
The two-time defending heptathlon champion withdrew alongside 400-meter runner Matthew Hudson-Smith, Daryll Neita, Amber Anning, Zak Seddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles, Jona Efoloko, and netball player Natalie Metcalf.
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Johnson-Thompson Prioritizes European Championships
Johnson-Thompson, who won gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and at Birmingham in 2022, opted out to focus on recovering from an earlier injury ahead of next month's European Championships in Birmingham.
"Missing a championship is never easy, but I know it's the right decision," said the 33-year-old athlete via social media.
"I'm gutted to have to pull out of this year's Commonwealth Games," she added, expressing disappointment about missing the chance to defend her title in front of a home crowd.
Despite recent progress in her recovery, she felt unable to perform at peak physical condition.
"Although the injury I picked up earlier this season has improved, I haven't been able to get back to the level I need to compete at my best," Johnson-Thompson explained.
After consulting her support staff, the team chose to shift priorities toward the upcoming European showcase.
"We've made the difficult decision to focus on giving myself the best chance of being ready for the European Championships," she said, adding that she can't wait to return to competition soon.
