Emotional Greg Rutherford jumps through the pain barrier at Anniversary Games but rules out defence of European title

For a man who has silenced the doubters so many times and achieved what few thought him capable of during his career, Greg Rutherford would have loved nothing more than to produce one final unlikely moment of brilliance at the scene of his greatest triumph.

But there was nothing left to give. As he tearily summed up: “My body doesn’t enjoy long jumping as much as my mind does.”

In the days leading up to these Muller Anniversary Games, Rutherford had not been shy about his limitations, admitting he would “probably be crying more than jumping” as he attempted to put his injury-ravaged body through one final appearance at London’s Olympic Stadium.

This, after all, was where it all began six years ago at the London Olympics – a victory that preceded world, European and Commonwealth gold medals as he became just the fifth British athlete to complete a “grand slam” of titles.

Unable to train more than once a week due to an ankle injury, he had doggedly refused to rule out a defence of his European crown next month until after this competition in London. That dream is now over.

A total misjudgement resulted in him running through the sand pit on his first effort, before his entire foot landed beyond the take-off board for his second.

After two no-jumps, just one more effort remained and, though he managed to at least secure a mark, his 7.55m jump was his worst effort since the anonymity of the Inter Counties Championships in 2010.

It was also more than a metre down on South African world champion Luvo Manyonga’s winning jump of 8.58m. Nonetheless, it was a victory of sorts.

“Running down the runway on the third attempt the foot felt completely awful and I just wanted to get something out there, have one more landing into the sandpit and a wave,” said Rutherford.

“I knew it was going to be awful but I was glad I got one, then everyone cheered – 7.55m never felt so good.

“The distances have not been there all year, I’ve hardly been training, I am jumping more off hope than anything.

“The Euros are not happening, that’s for definite. If I spent some more time on the runway, I could probably get close, but round three I was in so much pain.

“I can’t expect to be doing qualification, take a day off and then jump again. It won’t happen and I am not prepared to go to a major competition as a tourist, I want to win medals.”

In tears when he was announced to the crowd before the competition had even begun, Rutherford now has two more competitions planned in Birmingham and Newcastle before he bows out for good and embarks on an audacious attempt to see if he has what it takes to become an elite cyclist.

“I went through different moments of crying and then pulling myself together,” he said.

“To have so many people with signs, cheering me was very special. It was incredible that everyone got behind me.

“If you'd have said 10 years ago I'd have had the career I have I wouldn't have believed you and to have won the medals I have is something I'm really proud of.”