Injury rules Longford's Cian McPhillips out of World Indoor Athletics Championships in China

Having reached the semi-final of the recent European Championships in the Netherlands, Longford athlete Cian McPhillips was set to turn his attention to next weekend’s World Indoors Athletics Championships in China.

However, 800-metre runner Cian will not be making the trip to Nanjing after it emerged that he picked up a stress fracture of the fibula. 

An eventful heat at the European Indoors in which he fell to the track following a tangle of legs may very likely have contributed to the onset of the injury. Having then been advanced to the semi-final; Cian was unable to maintain his strong pace in the final 300 metres as the discomfort in his leg would certainly have limited his movement. 

Following his return to Ireland, a scan taken at the Santry Sports Clinic confirmed the stress fracture.

A disappointing end to the indoor season for Cian but one in which he has returned to form with a personal best time of 1:45.33 set last month in Boston. 

After a 6-week projected recovery time, he can fully resume training ahead of the outdoor season during which he will attempt to achieve the qualifying standard for September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.