Levins’ season ends with injuries, disappointment

BEIJING— When Cam Levins broke a Canadian record back in May, his prospects for the summer and the world track and field championships looked so bright. But when Canada’s top distance runner fell in the 1,500 metres at the national championships a month later, his season went down with him.

The 26-year-old from Black Creek, B.C., bowed out of the world championships Wednesday when he fin- ished ninth in his heat of the 5,000 metres in 13 minutes 48.72 seconds, failing to advance.

“I’ve had (some) problems the last month and a bit,” Levins said. “Trying to keep it under wraps and continue to focus and do the best I can, but missed some training with a couple of different things, and obviously probably I just wasn’t fit enough.”

Mo Ahmed of St. Catharines, Ont., looked destined for the same fate. He finished third in his heat of the 5,000 in 13:19.58 but was initially disqual- ified for a collision that nearly knocked Britain’s Mo Farah out of the race.

Athletics Canada appealed the decision and won, so Ahmed will race in Saturday’s final.

Levins, who was 14th in the 10,000 metres earlier in the meet, said he has been dealing with a rib injury and an ankle injury. He ran 27 minutes 07.51 seconds in the 10,000 in May, breaking Simon Bairu’s Canadian record of 27:23.63 set in 2010.

“It’s just been a pain in my butt,” Levins said of the injuries. “I know that I have it, I know I have everything that I need when I’m fit.”

Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont., won her heat of the 800 metres to advance to the semifinal, joining Fiona Benson of Dawson Creek, B.C., finished third in her heat to clinch a spot in the semis.

Khamica Bingham of Brampton, Ont., and Kim Hyacinthe of Montreal were third in their respective heats of the women’s 200 metres and qualified for the semifinals.