Sprinter Murphy out

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

CARIFTA Under-20 100 metres champion and world leader in the event, Jazeel Murphy, will miss next week's IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, after failing to recover in time from the quadricep injury that kept him out of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures National Junior Championships a few weeks ago.

Murphy, the fastest youth athlete this year with a time of 10.27 seconds, was expected to figure prominently at these championships; however, things could be even worse for the 17-year-old, as he is also doubtful for the Pan American Junior Championships, scheduled for Mirimar, Florida, July 22-24.

The Bridgeport High School star is scheduled to see a specialist in the coming days at which time his coach, Carl Page, expects to have more details on his timeline for recovery and the extent of the damage done.

"Yes, his injury has flared up. I'm not sure when he will recover, we will have to get that information from his doctor. He is supposed to see the doctor and conduct some tests, so I won't have much to say about this particular injury until after the doctor sees him," said Page, when contacted early yesterday. "Basically, we had to make the decision this week to pull him from the championship."

Page believes that his young charge requires added time to properly heal, and any attempt to compete in his current state would not augur well for his long-term development.

"I just want to allow him enough time to rest and recuperate so that he can be in the best condition next season. I'm not one of those persons who will rush him, we are more concerned about his long-term future, so I'm just going to let him rest," Page pointed out.

Injury-prone

Murphy suffered the injury at the CARIFTA Games during the running of the boys' Under-20 4x100 metres relay earlier this year. Murphy, who had to miss all major junior meets last year due to a right-hamstring injury, was in much better condition earlier on this year, capturing the Class One 100m at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

He is, however, said to be in high spirits despite this latest setback, and Page expects him to bounce back next year.

"He is not upset, he is humble, he knows it's the best thing for him so he is all right for the most part," said Page. "Last year, we decided to rest him after injury and he came stronger this year, and the same thing will happen next year."