Michael Norman will not defend his 400m title at the arena track and field championships that get started on Saturday.
“After an extremely frustrating season I’ve decided to step away from track for the remainder of the 2023 season in order to refocus for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” was posted on Norman’s social media.
Norman final raced at america Track and Field Outdoor Championships on July 6, putting 8th in his first-round warmth of the 100m.
After that race, Norman stated he handled “setback after setback” this season, together with tendonitis. He additionally switched coaches in May from Quincy Watts to John Smith (who coached Watts to 1992 Olympic 400m gold).
Norman was once requested on July 6 if he deliberate to make use of his bye into the 400m at worlds as protecting champion and stated, “We’ll see.”
Before the season, Norman stated he was once transferring down from the 400m to the 100m, however that “in a world where things go absolutely terrible” within the shorter distance, he deliberate to make use of his 400m bye into worlds.
Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas is the arena’s quickest guy within the 400m this season. Gardiner, the 2019 World champion and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, ignored final yr’s worlds because of a tendon damage.
[/gpt3]