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News06 Mar 2001


Injury ruins Miller's gold medal hopes

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Injury ruins Miller's gold medal hopes
David Martin (PA Sport)

6 March 2001 – Leeds - Coby Miller, injured immediately after crossing the line when winning the American 200 metres indoor title on Sunday, will miss next weekend's World Championships in Lisbon.

Miller who posted the world's fastest time of the year with a 20.31 seconds clocking, paid a terrible price for his superb victory. After achieving the ninth fastest performance ever ahead of Kevin Little winner of the 1997 World indoor gold title and third two years ago, the 24-year-old collided with his rivals.

When crossing the finishing line in a championship record time, Miller was clipped by third-place finisher Shawn Crawford, who fell and got entangled with runner-up Little, and then the very unfortunate victor.

Miller was rushed to an Atlanta hospital where his injury was diagnosed as a broken fibula in his left leg. He underwent surgery yesterday (Monday) Monday to repair the damage.

It is not known how long Miller will need to recover from his operation, but the Olympic seventh placer's agent, Tony Campbell, expressed guarded optimism due to the fibula being a non-weight-bearing bone.

Christian Malcolm his British rival for the World title who recently beat Miller in Lievin but was then disqualified for stepping out of his lane, expressed sympathy for his American rival.

Last year's European indoor champion, said: "Coby's a good guy. Yes, it will make my chances of winning easier, but no one likes to see anyone - even your biggest rival for a gold medal - miss the Championships in circumstances like this."

Andrew Pierce the fastest 400 metres man in the world this year with a time of 45.46 seconds despite clinching the last place when finishing second in the "sudden death" US trials, has declined the opportunity to run in Lisbon.

The 21-year-old has decided to put his college before country and will compete for Ohio State in the American College Championships which clash with the Lisbon meeting.

"It's a personal choice for the athlete," said US spokeswoman Jill Geer. US champion James Davis who ran a swift 45.79 seconds in his preliminary round on the Atlanta boards before taking the final in 46.16 seconds well clear of Pierce, leads his country's challenge.

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