Former Olympic 1500 Champ Taoufik Makhloufi Will Miss 2017 Worlds

Former Olympic 1500 Champ Taoufik Makhloufi Will Miss 2017 Worlds

The 2012 Olympic 1500 champ Taoufik Makhloufi will miss the 2017 World Championships.

Jul 19, 2017 by Harry Prevor .
Former Olympic 1500 Champ Taoufik Makhloufi Will Miss 2017 Worlds
Earlier today, the Algerian press confirmed that 2012 Olympic 1500m champ and Rio 800/1500 double silver-medalist Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria has announced that he will not compete at the World Championships in London this year due to a calf injury.

Makhloufi only raced twice after his ambitious Olympic 800/1500 double in Rio, and he has not raced at all in 2017. He was coached by controversial figure Jama Aden until 2014, when he left Aden for French coach Philippe Dupont. 

This isn't the first time Makhloufi has pulled out of Worlds following Olympic glory, as he missed almost the entire 2013 season including the World Championships after his 2012 Olympic gold. Makhloufi is still only 29 years old, leaving open the possibility of a return to the track for the 2018 season or in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

His absence may give reigning Olympic gold medalist Matt Centrowitz more hope at retaining his title despite missing time for an injury earlier in the season.

​Watch Makhloufi's legendary 1:44 800m workout from 2015 here: