Jodie Henry to miss Beijing Olympics - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Jodie Henry to miss Beijing Olympics

By Tom Wald 28/02/2008 08:14:15 PM Comments (0)

Triple Olympic gold medallist Jodie Henry is set to announce on Friday she will not be competing in Beijing.

The darling of the pool at the 2004 Athens Games will hold a press conference in Brisbane for 10.15am local time (11.15am AEDT) Friday at Chandler Aquatic Centre.

The former 100m freestyle world record holder has been suffering from a pelvic complaint that has hampered her ability to prepare properly for next month's Olympic trials in Sydney.

Swimmers must compete at the cut-throat meet to qualify for the Australian Olympic swim team.

Henry's absence will be a major blow to Australia's defence of the women's 4x100m relay in China.

Australian head coach Alan Thompson said Henry was still making up her mind tonight and shot down talk of an imminent retirement.

"Certainly not retirement, she is very, very certain on that, it is just in regards to the trials," he said.

"She is just very relieved about finally coming to some sort of resolution on the injury that she has got and the procedures for the treatment.

"I need her to make a decision on where she wants to go with this.

"She has to be comfortable with her own decision and I certainly would not want to force her into something that she regrets."

Henry, 24, has been a declining force in sprint events since her stunning performances in Athens where she won the 100m freestyle gold medal and anchored Australia to victory in the 4x100m and 4x100m medley relays.

The likes of fellow Australian Libby Lenton and Germany's Britta Steffen moved past her in 2006 and Henry has been unable to catch up.

Henry has tried three different coaches in a bid to regain her sparkle in the pool since Athens but her sixth place at last year's Melbourne world championships in the 100m final confirmed she was on the slide.

She moved from Canberra back to her hometown of Brisbane late last year before her Olympic campaign came undone because her pelvis is out of alignment.

"It varies from an annoying pain to a very intense pain and you can't really pick it," Thompson said of Henry's injury.

"It has been very frustrating for her."

Henry will be greatly missed in the 4x100m relay and her withdrawal means Australia will be relying heavily on brilliant youngster Cate Campbell to fill the void.

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