Hima to miss IAAF Continental Cup

NEWDELHI: Sprint sensation Hima Das has pulled out of the IAAF Continental Cup as the Athletics Federation of India wants her to give rest after a hectic season which saw her become the junior world 400m champion.

The prestigious tournament is to be held in Czech Republic from Saturday.

Hima was initially among seven Indian athletes who were to take part in the season-ending IAAF event in Ostrava on September 8 and 9 but has now been replaced by Australia’s Anneliese Rubbie as the second runner from Asia-pacific. The Continental Cup is competed among four teams — Europe, Africa, America and Asia-pacific — in 18 events each in both men and women’s sections and the mixed 4x400m relay. The top two athletes in the season’s rankings from each of the four regions take part in the Continental Cup.

“Yes, Hima is not running in the IAAF Continental Cup. The AFI has decided to give her rest. She has run so many races this year from the Commonwealth Games to the World Juniors and the Asian Games. It is not good to make her run so many races,” a top coach told PTI on Friday.

The coach, however, ruled out any injury to Hima, though reports had said she sustained minor side strains during the mixed 4x400m relay race during the Asian Games. She was also seen limping after running the 4x400m relay race in Jakarta.

“There is no injury to Hima. Athletes need good recovery time after a hectic season,” the coach said.

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