Sanita Puspure has pulled out of the women's single sculls B final at the Olympic Games due to illness. She said that she has been feeling unwell in recent days.
Puspure was due to take part in the race, which takes place at 1:05am (Irish time) on Friday, after a disappointing performance in her semi-final on Thursday.
The 39-year-old was one of Ireland's main medal hopes heading into the Games, but finished fifth in the semi-final, more than 10 seconds behind the winner. She had won her heat last Friday and her quarter-final on Sunday.
A disappointing day for Sanita Puspure, who failed to reach the single sculls final, finishing fifth in the semi-finals.#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/lLKXNhKPkF
📱 Updates – https://t.co/YWfUCcDfUp pic.twitter.com/AiKUi1Eyf4— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2021
"Over the past few days I have not been well, and I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the Olympic Regatta," she said.
"This is really disappointing, as I had been going well over the past few months and had hoped to continue this good form. The Olympics is always a big goal so it’s heartbreaking to have to pull out in this manner."
Puspure missed out on the semi-finals in Rio five years ago, but went on to win gold at the World Championships in 2018 and 2019, and the European Championships in 2019 and 2020.
"Sanita was flying the flag for Irish rowing when no one else was," Irish rowing team manager Feargal O'Callaghan told RTÉ following Thursday's semi-final.
"I think she's been a credit to her country, she's a two-time world champion and we should never forget that."
Irish Rowing Team manager Feargal O'Callaghan on the disappointment of Sanita Puspure not making an Olympic final - 'She's a credit to the country - Sanita was flying the flag for rowing in Ireland when nobody else was' #olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport pic.twitter.com/i2r1UkOy0O
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2021
Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
See Also: O'Donovan & McCarthy Were As Cool As Ever Despite Making Olympic History
