OlympicTalk · Jul 28, 2017
Pole vault star latest Olympic champion to withdraw from worlds
Thiago Braz, the lone Brazilian to win track and field gold at the Rio Olympics, will not pole vault at the world championships in London next month.
Braz, 23, is out of worlds due to poor form, a calf injury and back pain and will not compete again this year, according to Brazilian media.
The shock Rio gold medalist struggled in his follow-up season, ranking outside the top 40 outdoors this year with a top clearance of 5.60 meters.
Braz cleared an Olympic record 6.03 meters to upset world-record holder Renaud Lavillenie in Rio. He also cleared 5.86 meters this past winter indoor season.