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Harting withdraws from Beijing due to fitness

August 11, 2015

After releasing a YouTube video attacking the IAAF, Robert Harting has had to take a step back in terms of his sporting ventures. With the 2016 Olympics in mind, Harting has made perhaps a shrewd decision.

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Leichtathletik EM Zürich 2014 Robert Harting Diskus
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Three-times reigning discus champion Robert Harting withdrew from the German team for the upcoming world athletics championships in Beijing, revealing on Tuesday he has not regained full fitness after a severe knee injury.

The 30-year-old's main aim remains next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Harting ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee 11 months ago and has not competed since.

"I cannot compete there (in Beijing). I would be taking a risk which I cannot take. I wouldn't be able to compete at Rio 2016 if I rupture the cruciate ligament again," said Harting. The Cottbus-born Olympian won three straight world titles in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and also has Olympic gold from 2012 but won't be adding any world titles to that list when the competition starts in Beijing on August 22.

The news comes just a day after Harting released a YouTube video attacking the IAAF for their lack of activity in preventing the doping scandal currently sweeping through athletics.

jh/ (dpa)