Olympic luger Benshoof will miss European trip for continued back rehabilitation
By APFriday, July 31, 2009
Benshoof to miss Europe trip for back rehab
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Tony Benshoof, who missed a medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics by less than 0.20 seconds, will forgo an offseason training week in Europe next month to continue recovering from back surgery.
Benshoof underwent surgery Dec. 26, with hopes of alleviating pain that plagued him for years. He was eligible to be among the dozen or so USA Luge athletes making the European trip, which starts Aug. 18 and will culminate with the International Luge Start Competition in Meransen, Italy.
Others expected to make the trip include reigning women’s world champion Erin Hamlin and the longtime doubles team of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin.
The team’s preseason camp in Lake Placid opens Sept. 14.
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