Damian Warner drops out of decathlon after pulling hamstring

Canada’s Olympic gold medallist Damian Warner has withdrawn from the decathlon at the World Athletics Championships after pulling his hamstring during the 400m, which was the final event of day one.

Warner started the 400m well out of the blocks, but after 120 metres, he pulled up and fell to the track, grabbing the back of his thigh. Warner stayed down on the track for several minutes before being helped up and off the track.

The 32-year-old decathlete from London, Ont. had a 75-point lead over Zachery Ziemek of Team USA going into the fifth event. 

“I’m not sure what happened,” Warner told CBC Sports. “I felt my hamstring pull a couple of times. It felt like something went wrong and I couldn’t continue.”

Warner has had a long road back after battling injuries after winning gold at World Indoors this past spring.

“I’m just going to go back and hope this heals, and do what every other athlete does and get stronger, and hopefully get myself back on top of the world once again,” says Warner.

The reigning Olympic champion was looking to win the world championship gold medal after taking bronze and silver previously. Warner had the fastest time in the 100m and followed it up with the farthest leap in the long jump. He set season’s bests in the high jump and shot put before suffering the injury.

Fellow Canadian Pierce LePage ran a personal best 400m in a time of 46.84 to put himself in second place with five events to come. Day Two of the decathlon will start with the 110m hurdles in the morning, followed by the discus throw and pole vault. Decathlon action will kick off at 12:30 p.m. E.T.

The 2022 World Athletics Championships are taking place from July 15-25 from Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. All the action will be brought to you by Canadian Running and Asics Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.