SINGAPORE - Eric Cray pulled out of the 4x400-meter relay on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, missing a chance to go for a third gold medal in the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
According to statistician Andrew Pirie in an email to Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico explaining the sudden pullout, Cray was fatigued after winning the 100m and 400m hurdles gold.
“We have to take into consideration 10.24 (seconds), 10.28, and 49.40 are world class times in two very different events, which would have caused serious fatigue on the body, hence Cray's reasoning to pull out of the 4x400 was to preserve himself from getting a major injury and save his body for the world champs later this year," Pirie said in the letter.
“Cray has not had any major injuries in the last few years,” Pirie added.
With Cray out, the Philippine 4x400m team failed to defend its SEA Games title and settle for the silver behind Thailand after anchor Archand Bagsit lost steam in the final stretch.
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