Doubts over Romania's Iordache

LONDON (AFP) –

Romanian gold medal prospect Larisa Iordache, pictured in May 2012, looks set to miss the women’s individual all-around competition at the London Olympics after she completed a truncated training session on Thursday.

Romanian gold medal prospect Larisa Iordache looks set to miss the women’s individual all-around competition at the London Olympics after she completed a truncated training session on Thursday.

Iordache, 16, had been tipped to challenge for top honours in the women’s individual event but she has been struggling with a heel injury since arriving in London.

She did not perform a floor routine in podium training at the North Greenwich Arena on Thursday, although she did complete routines on the balance beam and the uneven bars.

Iordache inspired Romania to the team gold medal at this year’s European Championships in Brussels in May, picking up an individual gold medal on the floor and a silver medal on the beam.

As well as being a personal blow, Iordache’s inability to compete fully would also greatly harm Romania’s chances of claiming a medal in the team competition.

Qualifying for the women’s event takes place on Sunday.