Jacko Gill still a shot at Commonwealth Games selection despite heart condition

  • 02/02/2018

Jacko Gill's hopes of competing at the Commonwealth Games in April are still alive according to New Zealand Athletics' high performance director Scott Goodman.

In December, Gill was told that he would miss the Gold Coast event due to a rare heart condition after the 23-year-old had been suffering from Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle which was caused by a virus.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee named 15 athletes in their athletics team for the games on Friday but told media that further selections are possible for late call-ups.

Speaking to Newshub, Goodman indicated that the shot-putter could be a surprise inclusion in New Zealand’s athletics contingent.

"He is one of the ones we are still discussing so he is having a scan in the first week of March and I suppose that the medical advice would determine whether he has any chance or not," he told Newshub.

"He has met all our criteria other than doing any of the trials so the challenge would be to show that he was in form if medically he was allowed to try and compete.

"Jacko has been asked to be nominated and it keeps any chance he's got open. But he's got to make a health decision in the first week of March.

"That’s the preference by the New Zealand Olympic Committee selectors and their medical team will have to look. Will he be able to get back in time if he was given a medical clearance."

Gill competed at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games four years ago where he finished 11th overall with an 18.05m throw. 

Newshub.