The Italian Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, injured in the back and already absent at the Diamond League stage in Rabat on Sunday, must also give up that of Florence on Friday, the Italian athletics federation announced on Tuesday.
«The recovery process for Jacobs, after the problem that appeared in the last few days, seems not to be fully completed yet.“, said the federation in a press release.
The Italian, titled at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 ahead of Fred Kerley, thus misses a new opportunity to confront the American before the World Championships in Budapest (August 19-27).
Jacobs missed most of last season, including the world championships, due to health issues.
In Rabat, Kerley had sent a message to the great absentee by winning in 9 sec 94 on the straight line.
Before the Moroccan meeting, the American world champion and his Italian counterpart frequently sent spades on social networks, demanding a duel, before Jacobs forfeited. Announcement greeted online with mockery from Kerley.
«I’m dying to beat Marcell, it’s getting vitalAnother American, vice-world champion in the 100m Marvin Bracy, told AFP on Tuesday, shortly before the announcement of Jacobs’ package. “He speaks a lot for someone who does not run».
