Nick Willis forced to pull out of NZ Commonwealth Games team

Triple Commonwealth Games 1500m medallist Nick Willis has been forced to withdraw from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

A stress reaction in his fibula, diagnosed five weeks ago has been improving with a range of cross training activities, but the 34 year old is yet to resume running.

"I had hoped that I would only miss four weeks of training, but that was really a best case scenario," said Willis, announcing his decision.

"I am still at least two weeks out from being able to run again, so the decision not to compete at the games has been made for me by my leg, it's not even an option sadly.

"I would have loved to have worn the black singlet on Australian soil, like I did in Melbourne back in 2006, but injuries are part and parcel with being a runner."

Willis, from Lower Hutt, has a wonderful record at the Commonwealth Games, having medalled in all three Commonwealth Games he has attended - gold in Melbourne 2006, bronze in Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014.

The Michigan-based runner also has two Olympic 1500m medals, silver from Beijing 2008 and bronze from Rio 2016.

Willis is already planning ahead after the disappointment of having to pull out of the Gold Coast Games.

"The goal now is to prepare for Tokyo 2020, and take every necessary measure to make sure I am healthy for another shot at the Olympic podium," added Willis.

Gold Coast 2018 Athletics Team

Valerie Adams (conditional) shot put Pakuranga Athletic Club

Alana Barber 20km race walk Race Walking Auckland

Camille Buscomb 10,000m, 5000m Hamilton City Hawks Athletics

Cameron French 400m hurdles Hamilton City Hawks Athletics

Marshall Hall (conditional) discus Invercargill Athletic Club

Siositina Hakeai (conditional) discus Auckland City Athletics

Ben Langton Burnell javelin Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club

Eliza McCartney pole vault North Harbour Bays Athletics

Olivia McTaggart pole vault North Harbour Bays Athletics

Brad Mathas 800m Christchurch Old Boys

Joseph Millar 200m Tauranga Ramblers

Angie Petty 800m University of Canterbury

Julia Ratcliffe hammer Hamilton City Hawks Athletics

Holly Robinson Para javelin Athletics Taieri

Jake Robertson 10,000m Hamilton City Hawks Athletics

Zane Robertson marathon, 10,000m Hamilton City Hawks Athletics

Quentin Rew 20km race walk Wellington Harrier Athletic Club

Nick Southgate pole vault North Harbour Bays Athletics

Tom Walsh shot put South Canterbury Athletic Club

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand