Zane Robertson withdraws from Commonwealth Games

New Zealand's Zane Robertson has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Greg Bowker

Zane Robertson has pulled out of the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team.

A groin injury picked up earlier in the year forced the Kenyan-based Kiwi to miss several weeks of training at a key stage of his preparation for the Games, and while he returned since then, he has not recovered to the extent he could put on the black singlet and give it his best shot.

The 28-year-old, bronze medalist in the 5000m in Galsgow, was selected for both the 10,000m, in which he holds the NZ record, and the marathon.

While it would not have been possible to compete in both, he was hopeful of putting up a very good performance in one or the other.

"Zane had hoped he could make up the lost time and come into the village with the confidence to race hard and put him in the frame for a good performance," Athletics New Zealand High Performance director Scott Goodman said.

"I've been talking to Zane daily for the last couple of weeks and he really wanted to run on the Gold Coast and put up a performance he could be proud of, but he has not been able to put in the solid track sessions he needs."

"Zane has very high standards and he didn't want to come and put in a below par race or be forced to withdraw during the race."

Robertson will remain training in Kenya and set himself for some road races, with perhaps another crack at a fast marathon later in the year.

Robertson's brother, Jake, is still scheduled to compete in the 10,000m.