Israeli triathlete Shahar Sagiv withdraws from European Championships with foot pain

Israeli Olympic triathlete Shahar Sagiv pulled out on Friday night during the European Triathlon Championships in Tarragona, Spain, after pain in his right foot forced him to stop in the first kilometer of the run. The pain was linked to an injury that had troubled him in the period leading up to the event.

It was Sagiv’s first race of the season, and he had hoped to use it as a positive start to his build-up toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The race was held in the Olympic-distance format, with 1.5 kilometers of swimming, 10 kilometers of running and 40 kilometers of cycling, and featured 65 competitors.

Sagiv emerged from the swim in 25th place. During the cycling leg, he stayed with the lead pack after three laps, but in the final third five athletes broke away and left him behind. He then began the run and soon felt severe pain, ending his race early.

In the coming days, Sagiv and his team will decide whether he can continue to the next competitions or return to Israel for medical treatment.