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Injury forces former Oregon runner Matthew Centrowitz to miss Olympic Trials

Centrowitz pulled his hamstring while preparing for the Olympic Trials and was unable to run at his regular pace.
Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP
US' Matthew Centrowitz celebrates on the podium after winning the men's 1500-meter final during the Summer Olympics Aug. 20, 2016

EUGENE, Ore — Former Oregon runner Matthew Centrowitz announced on X/Twitter recently that he will be unable to compete in this year's Olympic Trials after pulling his hamstring in late May.

Centrowitz immortalized himself among American distance runners when at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, he became the first American to win the 1,500-meter race in over a century.

He's consistently been among the top long-distance runners in the world since turning pro after his days as a Duck. He first competed in the Olympics in 2012, where he placed fourth in the 1,500 meters.

"It's been equally difficult physically and mentally the last three weeks, staying optimistic that I'd still be able to compete (at the Olympic Trials)," wrote Centrowitz in an X/Twitter post. "It's not a goodbye, it's a see ya later."

Centrowitz had planned to retire following the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In his time with Oregon, Centrowitz was a seven-time All American in both indoor and outdoor track and field. In his senior year with the Ducks, Centrowitz won the NCAA Outdoor 1,500 meter race, announcing shortly after that he would turn pro after graduating from Oregon. 

It is unclear if Centrowitz will return to the track professionally.

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