UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins has backed Mark Lewis-Francis to return to the top of the sport but admitted the injury that has ruled him out of the Olympic Games could have been "potentially career threatening."
The 25-year-old sprinter damaged his Achilles at a warm weather training camp in Cyprus, and needs surgery which will prevent him travelling to Beijing in August.
Collins said: "Mark Lewis-Francis has been receiving treatment from UKA medical staf
f at the training camp for a sore Achilles that has worsened with the increased intensity of training that occurs at this time of year.
"Unfortunately, the soreness of the Achilles has increased and has not responded to treatment in Cyprus and Mark had to return home last week, a week earlier than scheduled, to seek a more detailed assessment.
"A scan has shown a partial tear to the tendon that requires surgical intervention at the earliest opportunity so as to prevent any further damage.
"On the positive side, it is good that the injury has been caught now before a full tear occurs – this would have been potentially career threatening.
"Mark has been working exceptionally hard in training and I am sure with that commitment, successful intervention and an intensive rehab programme he will make a successful recovery."
The full article contains 227 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
