Darmstadt (Germany): Thomas Rohler Germany decided to defend his title Javelin Olympic because of a back injury Monday.
Rohler was injured in training and barely competed this year.
He managed a violation of the German championship this month before withdrawing from the competition.
“I need to listen to my body now because I want to continue to do my sport for several years at the top level,” the 2018 European champions on the Athletics Association website.
“By taking part in the Olympics, I will risk too much because of this back injury.” Rohler threw 90.3 meters to win the Olympic gold medal in 2016 ahead of the world champion Julius Yego from Kenyo.
Another German thrower, Vetter Johannes, is considered a competitor for a gold medal in Tokyo.
The qualifying round in Javelin men is August 4 and the final August 7th.
Olympic Javelin Champion Rohler came out of Tokyo with an injury
