Athletics: Eliza McCartney still on course for world champs

Eliza McCartney

Top pole vaulter Eliza McCartney remains on course for the world athletics championships after having her troubling Achilles tendon assessed in Germany today.

The Rio Olympic bronze medallist has had soreness in her lower right leg and her last two performances in the Diamond League, in Oslo and Stockholm, have been below par.

But the scan in Cologne diagnosed inflammation but importantly no tear, allaying any fears that the 20-year-old has a major injury setback.

''I had to deal with this for a good chunk of the European season last season as well," McCartney said today.

''We weren't sure what was going on but I was able to do rehab, carry on and compete in Rio. The ultra sound today gives us a better idea of what is going on."

McCartney will lay off the leaping for a few days but still maintain her training routines in other respects, so it's business as usual.

''It is a bit inflamed and the tendon will stay pretty grumpy if I don't stay off it.

''So I need to rest it, and strengthen it again. I managed to get rid of it quite well last year but the intensity has stepped up so it will take a bit of effort to get rid of it again.

''But because we have more of an understanding of it, it will be easier to plan the rehab for the future."

McCartney acknowledged that historically she has been ''pretty lucky" with injuries.

''I've had a few, but fortunately they haven't kept me out of the sport for too long and haven't required surgery.

''I do get injured quite often but they're all things we're able to deal with."

Pole vault is a sport with a range of complex individual components, so there's no shortage of work-ons for McCartney and her coach Jeremy McColl.

''You don't have to be running all the time to be training. There's certainly other things we can do and it doesn't mean training falters at all.

''I'm still training really hard - just not doing things that cause any pain. I'm still able to get lots done."

McCartney's philosophy is simple: ''It could be a lot worse. At least it's early in the European season. There's still a month and a half to the world champs so there's plenty of time to sort things out.

''I guess if I look at it overall I'm still only 20, hopefully I've got along career ahead of me and it's not the end of the world whatsoever. It'll all work out in the end."

McCartney is planning to compete at the London Diamond League meeting on July 9 and then onto the world championships, also in London in early August.