England's hopes for medals at the Commonwealth Games have taken a significant hit with the withdrawal of Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith. Johnson-Thompson, a gold medalist in the heptathlon at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham games, and Asher-Smith, who was set to compete in the relays, have both pulled out of the competition. They are not the only ones; fellow Olympic medalists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryll Neita, as well as Amber Anning, Zac Sneddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles, and Jona Efoloko, have also announced their withdrawal on the eve of the opening ceremony. Johnson-Thompson expressed her disappointment, stating that despite an earlier season injury improving, she hasn't reached the necessary level to compete at her best.
After consulting with her team, they decided to focus on preparing for the European Championships later in the season. The reason for Asher-Smith's withdrawal hasn't been disclosed, but it's believed she's prioritizing the European Championships in Birmingham next month. The packed schedule has posed a challenge for several leading athletes, including Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who opted not to pursue selection for the Glasgow Games. Other international stars who have withdrawn from the Games include Olympic swimming medalists Kaylee McKeown of Australia and Summer McIntosh of Canada, as well as Mary Moraa of Kenya.
On Thursday, England netball star Natalie Metcalf also withdrew due to a calf injury, with Ella Clark taking her place. Metcalf was part of the 2018 squad that won Commonwealth gold in Australia.