Andy Butchart has been ruled out of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games due to a foot fracture injury.
Butchart sustained the injury in his indoor season opener at the Millrose Games in New York last Saturday (February 3), where he finished 5th over 3000m.
The 26-year-old, viewed by many as the British successor to Mo Farah on the track, was due to represent Scotland in the 5000m at the Commonwealth Games in April.
However, following an MRI scan in Boston, Butchart revealed that he has a fractured navicular in his right foot, with his agent confirming to Fast Running that the injury will see him miss the Gold Coast Games.
“I never thought it would be me. 500m to go during my 3000m at Millrose last weekend I felt a sharp pain in my right foot,” said Butchart on Instagram. “I knew what it was straight away… and after an MRI in Boston, it was confirmed – Fractured Navicular in the right foot.
“Heartbroken! It definitely sucks and I won’t be racing for a while… but I’m gonna come back faster, fitter and stronger than ever!”
Butchart, who finished sixth in the 5000m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, had made a strong start to his preparations for the Commonwealth Games winning bronze at the European Cross Country Championships in December.
The Scottish star was set to compete at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow at the Emirates Arena on Sunday 25 February.
Prior to the new year, Butchart moved to San Diego, along with fellow Scottish athlete Lynsey Sharp to train under the guidance of coach Terrence Mahon.