Merritt hit by leg injury in Monaco

Published on 21/07/2012 03:19

AN injury to Olympic 400m champion LaShawn Merritt was the big talking point of the Diamond League meeting in Monaco last night.

Usain Bolt’s withdrawal from the 200m meant it was the men’s 400m which took centre stage, with Merritt expected to show his dominance just a week before the start of the Olympics. However Diamond League leader Merritt pulled up with a hamstring injury and did not finish, although afterwards the American allayed fears of his participation in London by claiming it was just a twinge.

The race saw a season’s best from Jonathan Borlee as the Belgian held off the challenge of James Kirani of Grenada, beating the World Championship gold medallist by .02sec with 44.74 seconds.

In the shock of the night, two-time Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva did not attempt a height until 4.70m, before failing three times. Britain’s Holly Bleasdale cleared 4.45m and 4.62m before bowing out at 4.76m. Silke Spiegelburg won the event after clearing 4.70m.