Track and field sports - Klosterhalfen withdraws from European Championship race.
Konstanze Klosterhalfen, a track and field athlete, becomes unable to defend her title in the 5000-meter race at the European Championships in Rome.
Klosterhalfen, 27, had hoped to compete despite her illness, as stated by the German Athletics Association (DLV). She was initially selected for both the 5000 meters and the 10,000 meters in Rome.
Now, she plans on focusing on her recovery before the German Championships in Braunschweig at the end of June so she can qualify for the Paris Olympics this summer. National coach Isabelle Baumann commented, "Koko has worked hard to prepare for this season. It's unfortunate she faces a health setback at this critical moment. It makes sense for her to withdraw from the EM, keeping Olympic qualification possible."
Apart from Klosterhalfen, long-distance runners Alina Reh (Half Marathon team) and Miriam Dattke (10,000 meters) are also unlikely to appear in the European Championships. The DLV explains their absence results from issues during training, which would make it difficult for them to start in the EM races in top condition.
