Deakes was hoping to improve on his Athens Olympics 20km bronze medal when he took to the streets of Beijing. His chance of doing so has no been taken away due to a chronic hamstring injury. This is an injury he has battled for the past four years.

The injury popped up again while working out at his St Moritz training base. An MRI scan showed that the best option was to undergo surgery to repair the muscle.

Deakes speaking from Switzerland said it was no a surreal feeling. He was sure it would hit him harder as August comes and he is watching the games rather than competing.

With Deakes and Rawlinson out of the Australian athletics team it is hard to see where a gold medal will come from. Craig Mottram in the 5000m is one of Australia’s main contenders for a medal at the China Olympics. Steve Hooker in the pole vault is another that I give some chance.