Australia’s world 100m freestyle champion James Magnussen has withdrawn from an appearance in Singapore as he battles a persistent back injury, organisers said on Wednesday.
The “Missile” will miss this week’s Swim Stars event after doctors advised him to rest and avoid air travel.
He recently took 100m freestyle bronze at the Pan Pacific Championships but withdrew from the 50m race.
“I am very disappointed,” Magnussen said in a statement. “I have already set myself the goal of being there next year ready to race the best swimmers in the world,” he added.
The Swim Stars event on Friday features a number of world and Olympic gold medal-winners including Magnussen’s sprint rival Nathan Adrian and Jessica Hardy.