Olympic 20km Race Walk gold medallist Ivano Brugnetti will be out of action for at least a month after picking up a groin injury.
“For more than a year I've had this pain but I never considered it a problem, then having started to train for the winter competitions the pain became more intense,” confirmed the Italian. “I underwent some tests and they found that my right leg is shorter than my left leg by eight millimetres and I have also torn a muscle.”
The 28-year-old will not be able to join his national team-mates for training in Astros, Greece, on 24 January. “I can only swim and cycle but with regards to running it's out of the question for the time being. Throughout my career I have never suffered an injury so I am slightly worried,” admitted Brugnetti. “However, if it had to happen I would rather it is now than in March or later.”