Alysha Newman bows out of indoor world pole vault final with right ankle injury

The women's pole vault final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships started and will finish Saturday without medal hopeful Alysha Newman.

The London, Ont., athlete withdrew from the event minutes before it began, unable to overcome pain in her right ankle after hurting herself while cooling down after Thursday's practice in Glasgow, Scotland.

"If this was the Olympics it's something you would push through," the 29-year-old told CBC Sports reporter Devin Heroux. "I did everything [possible to compete]. [I] was up [Saturday until 3, 4 a.m. local time] doing treatments. We got all the inflammation out.

"Weirdy, now that the inflammation's out, I have more pain. I sprinted [in warmup and] felt great … [but] I was getting sharp pain down the runway."

Newman said she has a Grade 2 ankle sprain and has been told by doctors to not train for three to five weeks and will have an MRI upon returning home.

On Feb. 22, she cleared a winning 4.83 metres at the All-Star Perche in Clermont-Ferrand, France to improve her Canadian record. It was the fourth time in nine competitions this season she has jumped 4.70 or higher.

Heroux noted Newman pulled up on two or three warmup attempts on the runway ahead of Saturday's event.

On her second attempt during warmups Alysha Newman pulls up a bit and seemed to be in some pain after rolling her ankle. <br><br>She’s having a long talk with her coach right now. <br><br>This will be a last-second decision is she competes or not in the pole vault final. <a href="https://t.co/nIH2tCHlWg">pic.twitter.com/nIH2tCHlWg</a>

"I've come a long way from injury and you have to go with your gut. I'm so proud of my indoor season. … This is a minor setback compared to my other injuries and that's what I need