Siobhan Haughey won't defend women's 200m freestyle title at aquatics worlds

Defending women's 200-metre freestyle champion Siobhan Haughey said Monday she has withdrawn from the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore due to a back injury.

Haughey, a four-time Olympic medallist, became Hong Kong's first swimming world champion with her 200 win in Doha, Qatar last year.

"I have pulled out of the world championships in Singapore due to an ongoing back injury," the 27-year-old said on social media.

"I'm sad to miss out on the opportunity to compete against the best in the world, but right now I have to do what's best for me.

"As elite athletes, we're trained to push through the pain and fatigue to keep going. Yet at certain moments, the brave and hard thing to do is to take care of your body and wait patiently."

The swimming events at the world championships take place this Sunday through Aug. 3.

WATCH: Summer McIntosh's coach says Canadian can break more world records:

Summer McIntosh's next world record, according to coach Fred Vergnoux | The Ready Room

6 days ago

Duration 0:43

Fred Vergnoux was by Summer McIntosh's side when she broke three world records in five days at Canadian swimming trials, so we had to ask, 'what record will Summer set next?.'