John Godina (USA) (© Getty Images)
Helsinkitime World Shot Put champion John Godina was the first major casualty of the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki as the American failed to qualify for this afternoon’s final.
This year’s World leader with a 22.20 metre performance set back in May, Godina has struggled with a series of injuries and illnesses which seriously affected his chances of performing well here in Helsinki.
Indeed, the 33-year-old could only manage a best throw of 19.54m in this morning's qualification round, well below the qualifying standard of 20.25m.
“I suffered from a torn ligament in my foot back in June, then I had an inflamed bursa in my right elbow at the US Championships and ten days after than I strained the biceps in my left elbow,” said a resigned Godina after this morning’s competition.
“Ten days after that I suffered from a hand injury and to cap it all I had two stomach viruses in London and lost 10 pounds.”
“Basically that’s why I sucked today!” he concluded with a smile.
“I haven’t been able to train properly since June and you can’t compete at this level without good training. I just wish I had had another six weeks to get back in shape.”
Helsinki 2005 will be the first IAAF World Championships where Godina doesn’t make the final; gold medal winner in 1995, 1997 and 2001 the three-time American champion was also a finalist in Seville 1999 and Paris 2003.
“Despite all these injuries I was never going to miss out on the World Championships. I came and did the best I could which today was not enough. The Shot Put is hard work nowadays!”
“To be honest I was still hoping to get a medal today but things didn’t work out that way.”
Godina’s mood didn’t seem to be that affected by today’s disappointment and the experienced American is keen to set the record straight in upcoming events.
“I’m not sure whether this marks the end of my season or not. I will have to sit down and think about it tonight but probably yes, I will end it here.”
“Will I be back for Osaka? Of course I will. I will even be in London 2012! That’s no doubt about it!”
Godina’s predictions for tonight’s final
“Definitely Christian (Cantwell) is the favourite, just because he is so strong physically and mentally. I think he should be up there for the gold medal. After that I think the silver medal should be between Joachim (Olssen) and Adam (Nelson).”
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
