By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
South Africa’s sprinter Benjamin Richardson has been officially withdrawn from the Paris 2024 Olympics and will no longer participate in the games.
Team SA chief medical officer Dr Jean de Wilde says, Benjamin sustained a hamstring injury in the 200m heats and has been withdrawn from the games.”
Richardson was part of the third heat in the first round of the 200m event, and going into the race he was being touted as a serious contender for South Africa.He started the 200m race strongly, quickly sprinting into the lead and leading the charge at the final bend before the last 100m of the race.
Richardson, who dipped under 10 seconds in the 100m for the first time this season, was a crucial member of the 4x100m team, running the second leg down the back straight.
He went 9.86sec in Switzerland recently and in the 100m semifinals at Stade de France clocked 9.95.
The relay team is considered a medal chance but they will need their top runners, who also include Akani Simbine and Shaun Maswanganyi, fit and healthy.