• Partner

  • 

• presented by

  • 

News

Pavey to miss Zurich and Sheffield with kidney infection

Immediately after the race Pavey had tests with the initial findings indicating a kidney infection for which she has been prescribed a seven days course of antibiotics

2005-08-18

Jo Pavey the country's top 5000 metres  runner will miss both Friday's Zurich Golden League meeting and the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield on Sunday with a kidney infection. Pavey in the best form of her life this year had the problem diagnosed after inexplicably struggling home 15th in the World Championships 5000 metres last Saturday in Helsinki. Immediately after the race Pavey had tests with the initial findings indicating a kidney infection for which she has been prescribed a seven days course of antibiotics. The Devon runner had been in the best shape of her life going into the Championships and only a few weeks ago in Rome achieved the second fastest-ever 5000m time by a British woman

From good preparation to disaster

Pavey showing it was no fluke performance, then completed her Helsinki preparations with a top three 3000m finish at the Oslo Golden League meeting on July 29 before movng directly to the British team's holding camp in Turku. The fiinalist at the last two Olympic Games easily progressed through her 5000m heat in Finland's Olympic stadium and there were high hope she would again make a top-six finish in the final. However disaster struck as she struggled from the very beginning of the race but bravely battled on to complete the 12 1/2 lap race though looking very distressed.    

Rough race 

"My preparations for Helsinki had been pleasing with a good series of results leading into the Championships," said Pavey. "I felt good in the first round and was hopeful of improving Olympic Games fifth placing. However I knew something was wrong in the days before the final as I kept waking up during the night completely soaked in sweat and had dizzy feelings during the day. I tried to convince myself that I would be ok but as soon as the gun sounded in the final, I did not feel good. I do not remember anything about the last few laps and I was in a bad state after the race. In hindsight maybe I should have not started the final but I really wanted to do well for myself and the team. I worked so hard all year and it is very disappointing for illness to strike at the last moment."