Broben and Clarke forced to withdraw from Olympics

NSWIS athletes Brittany Broben and Joshua Clarke have been dealt the heaviest of blows in the last 24 hours, both forced to withdraw from the Rio Olympic Games due to Injury.

Broben, a diving silver medallist in London, incurred a shoulder injury during the Diving Nomination Trials, while 100m sprinter Clarke wasn’t able to reach peak form following a hamstring injury that has hampered is preparation since February this year.

Although Clarke has recovered from his injury, he and coach Nancy Atterton decided that his inability to be at his best to compete against the world’s best as the determining factor in his withdrawal.

“This is devastating for Josh, his coaches and family,” Australian athletics head coach Craig Hilliard told the Australian Olympic Team.

“Josh has worked tremendously hard to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained earlier this year, but unfortunately time has not been his friend and in the best interests of his long-term career he has decided to withdraw.

“This is a courageous decision, he has chosen to look to his future rather than focusing on an immediate outcome which is never easy.”

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 06: Joshua Clarke of NSW after competing in his heat of the mens 100 metres during the IPC Athletics Grand Prix on February 6, 2016 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Clarke would have been Australia’s first competitor in the Olympic blue-riband men’s sprint Josh Ross at the 2004 Athens Games.

In contrast to Clarke, Broben had been on track for a strong recovery until a recent setback eliminated her chances of again contesting for an Olympic medal.

Despite the undesired outcome, Diving Australia CEO David Bell told the Australian Olympic Team that the sport would do everything they could to support Broben during this period.

“Brittany has been fighting hard to return to full fitness, and she and Diving Australia were confident she was going to be ready to perform at her best in Rio,” Bell said.

“Unfortunately this setback has put paid to her chances.”

“This is obviously a very disappointing outcome for Brittany, and we will be supporting her through this difficult period.”

Diving Australia is working on a replacement for Broben. The new Olympic team member will line up alongside two-time Olympian and fellow NSWIS athlete Melissa Wu.