The Sunday race is the first of two Olympic selection races, with the other being the world championships in Perth on April 30. TA's selection policy states any Australian who wins in Sydney or Perth will gain an automatic Olympic berth in the team of three men and three women. If there is no outright Australian victory, selection will be decided according to results in the Sydney and Perth races with the athlete's career record also being considered. We have to bring the athletes together. And if the Australians do well at the World Cup and there is an automatic selection, that makes it even more difficult and will have a bearing on any no-shows.
Any misfortunes are tragic for any athlete.
Harrop's manager, Di Ainsworth, said the world champion had exhausted treatment options, including physiotherapy, acupuncture and even swimming in hot springs. She'll make the decision after seeing the specialist because she wants to see if there is anything else she can do to get it right. But if you can't run there is no point showing up anyway. We have to look at any possible long-term damage as well. And she is still confident that if she can get it right, she can defend her title and win the worlds.