The duel between 100m Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs and his challenger Fred Kerley, which was eagerly awaited and fueled by the top sprinters, is initially canceled.
The Italian Jacobs canceled his start at the Diamond League meeting in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Sunday because of back problems.
Kerley had previously feared a rejection. “I hope he doesn’t duck away and start the race,” said the world champion from the USA after his successful start to the World Championship year in Yokohama.
Both sprinters had sent poison arrows back and forth via social media in the past few weeks. Now the direct duel has to wait. Both are reported again for the meeting in Florence on June 2nd. The highlight of the season takes place in August at the World Championships in Budapest.
“Technically, I feel fit and ready for a great outdoor season,” Jacobs said of the Italian Athletics Federation on Thursday: “The challenge is just put on hold.”