Glasgow Olympic hopeful Daniel Carlin losing fitness fight as London Games approaches

Jun 21 2012 By Gordon Parks

Daniel Carlin Image 1

DANIEL CARLIN is adamant his long-term future must come first as he continues his recovery from the wrist injury that ruled him out of this weekend’s Aviva 2012 Trials in Birmingham.

The 21-year-old shot-putter was initially confident he would be fit in time for the Olympic selection meeting when he had a scan back in March.

Closer examination revealed a longer layoff would be required, and Carlin now faces the possibility of spending all of 2012 on the sidelines.

But while he feels his recovery is ahead of schedule, the Glasgow-based youngster insists he will not risk returning too soon and encountering further setbacks.

Carlin, who benefits from being on Bank of Scotland’s Local Heroes programme, said: “I had an op on my wrist in March which put me out of action, but I was confident I wouldn’t miss too much of the season.

“But it was more serious than first thought.

“The doctors thought it was just a ligament tear, but then they found cartilage damage as well.

“I can still do most things in training although I have been throwing a slightly lighter shot than usual. But there’s no point in going to the trials at the risk of doing more damage.

“I probably could compete again before December, but thinking long-term it’s not worth rushing to return and possibly setting myself back a few more months.

“It’s about priorities. Qualification for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow opens in April
next year, and that’s the big one for me. It would be amazing to compete in a major championships in my home city.”

●Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week took place from 11-15 June 2012 and is Scotland’s
biggest school sport event with nearly 2,000 schools and half a million pupils taking part by staging their own Games. Find out more at www.schoolsportweek scotland.org