Australian sprinter Josh Clarke has withdrawn from the 100m at the Rio Olympics, having run out of time to return to peak form following a hamstring injury early this year.
Clarke, 21, hurt his hamstring tendon in the race in Canberra in February where he bettered the Olympic qualifying standard with a personal best of 10.15 seconds.
Although he has recovered from the injury, the Sydneysider and his coach Nancy Atterton decided he was not in the sort of shape to perform at his peak at the Rio Games against the likes of two-time defending champion Usain Bolt.
"This is devastating for Josh, his coaches and family," said Australian athletics head coach Craig Hilliard.
"Josh has worked tremendously hard to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained earlier this year, but unfortunately time has not been his friend and in the best interests of his long-term career he has decided to withdraw.
"This is a courageous decision, he has chosen to look to his future rather than focusing on an immediate outcome which is never easy."
Australian Olympic team chef de mission Kitty Chiller said she would soon reach out to Clark to offer support.
"It's a strong and it's a brave decision from a young guy with a big future," Chiller told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.
"Very disappointing for Australia that we won't now have a 100 metre (runner)." Australia has not had a representative in the Olympic blue-riband men's sprint since Josh Ross made it through to the quarter-finals at the 2004 Athens Games.
But Australia still has an interest in the other three flat sprints in Rio with Alex Hartman entered in the men's 200m and Melissa Breen (100m) and Ella Nelson (200m) qualified in the women's races.
Clarke's 100m PB of 10.15 has him ranked fifth on the Australian alltime list headed by the retired Patrick Johnson (9.93).
Clarke's withdrawal means Australia will send a 60-strong athletics team to Rio.
The track and field squad is currently preparing for the Games at a camp in Bradenton, Florida.