Teen running sensation Sam Ruthe says he will pass-up on this year's Commonwealth Games, adding the decision was due to a stress fracture recovery window which would have put him in a poor position to perform.
Ruthe's coach, Craig Kirkwood, confirmed safety and injury prevention were key in the decision to focus instead on World Athletics U20 Champs and European racing, in a video of the two which was posted Ruthe's YouTube channel.
"We're safer doing that, rather than trying to push to get a performance at a level [at the Commonwealth Games] we would be happy with, was what it boiled down to," said Kirkwood.
"We do, also, wanna make sure that when you do represent New Zealand in the NZOC at such a pinnacle event, that you do it at the best of your ability and we're not going in there undercooked."
Ruthe agreed he'd prefer to show up in top form, that travelling to the Commonwealth Games in a reduced capacity would be a "waste of time".
"It's so much more satisfying turning up to a race knowing that you're in form to actually compete," said the runner.
Of his recovery, Ruthe said the future was "looking really positive" and that while he was still finalising his plans, he's "still got a big season ahead".
"World juniors is a still a really really good event, and I’m still really fortunate enough to have, you know, another event [like World Juniors]."
"It's a little bit further into the future so hopefully i'll be in great form by then."
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