Parchment could return soon

Fitz Coleman, coach of Olympic 110 metres hurdles champion Hansle Parchment, says it is very possible that his charge will return to competition this season, after his minor injury scare on Sunday.

Parchment was going through his pre-race warm-up before the final of the men’s 110m hurdles competition at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, when he clipped a hurdle and hurt his hamstring.

Coleman said the results of two tests on the injury have come back negative and therefore they are now hopeful that he will return to competition before the season ends.

“He has done two MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and they have come back negative,” said Coleman. “There are no torn muscles because it is more like a grade one strain, so it is not as bad we initially thought. The plan for us now is to do some remedial work and see how we can deal with the season.”

The vastly experienced coach pointed out that Parchment has a number of races lined up for the rest of the season and therefore he is looking to fulfil these engagements.

“As you know based on Hansle’s level, we would have had races assigned already and so we will assess to see how best we can get back out there,” Coleman stated.

He is a very tough person and therefore I am expecting him to return much stronger than before,” he said.

Coleman added that Parchment, who was among the favourites to win the World title, has dealt with the situation well because he is feeling very positive about the remainder of the season.

“It is natural that one would be disappointed, but he is not down on himself because he has taken it quite well,” he said.

“Remember that he is a sociology student, so he has taken it well and we have spoken on it and we have accepted it,” Coleman said. “It is the unfortunate side of sports, so there is no sulking or anything and we are just thankful that it is not worse and there is still a chance for him to compete before the season ends.”

American Grant Holloway clocked 13.03 seconds to run away with the gold medal in the event in Eugene. Second was Holloway’s teammate Trey Cunningham, 13.08, while Spain’s Asier Martínez was third.