Canadian Lysanne Richard, high diver of the year, withdraws from aquatics worlds
Canada's Lysanne Richard, a 2016 World Cup champion and FINA female high diver of the year, announced her withdrawal from the FINA World Championships on Friday. The 35-year-old athlete was expected to compete at the event from July 28-30, in Budapest, Hungary.
Richard told CBC Sports that she's been dealing with neck issue since June 2016 and despite trying multiple avenues to be ready for the world championships, she was not cleared by her doctor.
"I am extremely disappointed to miss world championships. I was looking forward to representing Canada, but an injury is currently preventing me from competing," she said.
Richard missed the first two legs of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series because of the injury. She will not be able to attend the Italian stop of the circuit, which will be held July 22-23.
"It was really a day by day process," said Richard, who until recently was still hoping to compete in Budapest, told CBC Sports. "I will come back strong for sure, my main goal is to win the next world championship."
Richard had a strong season on the circuit last year, triumphing in Italy and Bosnia. Since she finished second in the Red Bull 2016 overall standings, Richard secured her qualification for 2018.
"I'm surrounded by a team of specialists who are doing their very best to make sure I recover quickly. I feel better and better each day and I'm hoping to be ready in time for the last two legs of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series," she added.
The next leg is scheduled for September.
Richard competed at her first World Championships in 2015, in Kazan, Russia, where she finished 5th.
