IPC Athletics World Championships
19-29 July

Fearnley withdraws from IPC Athletics World Championships

Australian to take a break as he prepares for Rio 2016 24 May 2013
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Fearnley beats Hug to 2013 London marathon title

Australian Kurt Fearnley edges ahead of Switerlands's Marcel Hug on the finish line to win the 2013 Virgin London Marathon

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By Athletics Australia

“Major meets like the IPC World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games really take it out of you. You spend a lot of time away from home and lot of physical and mental energy in the lead up to, during and post event. I’m not getting any younger and finding a balance between competing at major competitions and taking a break is very important.”

Reigning marathon world champion Kurt Fearnley of New South Wales has today announced his intention to withdraw from July's 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France.

Citing a need for rest after a busy year of competition that has included two medals from the London 2012 Paralympic Games and victory at the Virgin London Marathon, Fearnley admits the decision was tough but his focus must remain on continuing his career through to and beyond the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“It was a tough decision to make but one that will definitely help me in the long term,” Fearnley, who is a five-time World Championships medallist, said.

“Major meets like the IPC World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games really take it out of you. You spend a lot of time away from home and lot of physical and mental energy in the lead up to, during and post event. I’m not getting any younger and finding a balance between competing at major competitions and taking a break is very important.”

“I have a major meet every year for the next five years and on the back of theLondon Paralympics and with my eyes firmly on the 2016 Games in Rio, 2013 is the best opportunity to spend some time at home and take a break. I hope todefend my Commonwealth Games gold medal from 2010 in Glasgow, before the IPC Worlds in Doha in 2015 and then back to the ultimate in Rio the year after. I’ll be in better shape for all of them if I take a break this year.

“I won’t be out of the chair all together. I will keep training through the winter and compete in a few local races that I don’t normally have the chance to contest. I also plan to tackle a couple of international marathons later this year.”

While he will be missed by the Australian squad, Fearnley remains confident that the team selected will perform at a standard Australia will be impressed by, with the current team of 24 set to expand even further following the close of the Qualification Period and Final Selectors Meeting on 3 June.

“I wish the team selected for the Worlds all the best and have confidence that the group assembled will do Australia proud and bring home a large haul of medals. There’s a good mix of young and old, and on the back of a great performance in London last year I’m sure the team will keep improving in the build-up to Rio,” Fearnley added.

The IPC Athletics World Championships will be held in Lyon from 19-28 July.

The majority of the Australian squad will depart on July 7, spending a week acclimatising in Nottwil, Switzerland before arriving in the host city on 15 July.

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