Liberia’s national record holder in 200- metres, Emmanuel Matadi will no longer compete in the men’s 200 metres at the Tokyo Olympics Games.
Emmanuel Matadi said on Sunday he is pulling out of the event due to muscle injury.That leaves his teammate Joseph Fahnbulleh as the only Liberian athlete to hit the track at the Olympics stadium in the men’s 200m after lone female representative, Ebony Morrison, who set a national record on Sunday, was eliminated from the women’s 100 metres hurdles.
Matadi’s withdrawal comes after he missed out on a semi-final spot in the men’s 100m.The two-time Olympian clocked 10.25 seconds 0.32 seconds below his personal best (9.93) on Saturday as he finishing fifth in heat six.
The heat was won by Africa 100m record holder Akani Simbine of South Africa (10.8), followed by Cote d’Ivoire’s Arthur Cisse (10.15) and Brazil’s Paulo Andre Camilo, all of whom automatically qualified for the semi-finals.
The men’s 200m event which is scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, should have been Matadi’s next area of focus, but the 30-year-old took to his official social media handle to announce that he needs time to rest and recover.
He also announced that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics may be his final.
“Two-time Olympian -For the past few weeks, I’ve had hip pain and come to find out there was a tear in the muscle. Regardless of whatever pain I may have felt I still wanted to come out there and compete in what may of been my last Olympic Games but not only for myself but for my love of Liberia,” Matadi said.
“No pity party for me please let’s just enjoy the moment of Liberia being on the world stage ! AND still have two more Liberian athletes left in the fight!! Time for me to rest and rehab… Thank You all for the support I love y’all and remember,” Matadi concluded.
