Injured Rutherford in fitness battle for world title defence

Unceasingly positive by nature, Greg Rutherford cannot hide his disappointment as he reveals the extent of the injury problems seriously jeopardising his long-jump world title defence in London in less than two months’ time. “You can probably tell by my tone,” he says, sullenly.

Troubled by a herniated disc in his back over the winter and a ligament issue in his foot in the spring, Rutherford was jumping competitively a fortnight ago for only the second time this year when he heard a crack in his ankle. Despite winning the competition, the prognosis was not good: damaged ankle ligaments and no jumping for the rest of June at least. Far from ideal with the London World Championships starting on Aug 4.

“It seemed to be a bit better so I jumped in Manchester [at the end of May] and it went very well,” he says. “I thought I’d do another competition but, after a couple of jumps, the ankle sort of went crack and another injury has ensued.

“It seems the knock-on effect is the ligaments have been taking a bigger load and a subsequent injury had taken place. It’s not career-ending but it just means I’m unable to do what I’d like to be doing.”

At a time when he should be gearing up to one of the biggest competitions of his life – at the scene of his greatest triumph when winning Olympic gold at London 2012 – Rutherford, 30, is instead spending his days rehabilitating on an exercise bike.

He has earmarked the Müller Anniversary Games in London on July 9 as his comeback event, but knows it could spell the end for the defence of the world title he won in 2015, completing the career grand slam of Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth titles.

“The only saving grace is that it’s not my take-off leg, so if I can get it to a point where it’s pain-free and I can maintain the load on my right foot then I’m hopeful by the time of the Anniversary Games I’m in good shape to try and jump far,” he says.

As if Rutherford does not already have enough on his plate, his partner Susie is due to give birth to their second child on July 19. It is with his growing family in mind that he has spent an increasing amount of time away from the athletics track in recent months. He reached the later stages of Strictly Come Dancing last November, has set up an online fitness programme and is trekking across Oman for charity this winter.

Not that he plans on bowing out any time soon. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics remains an ambition, while the more immediate task is retaining his world title on home turf. “It’s going to be a brilliant time for me,” he says. “As long as I’m fit and healthy.”

For tickets to see the world’s best at the Müller Anniversary Games, go to www.britishathletics.org.uk