Several prominent athletes were absent from the competition. The reigning women's 100 metres hurdles world champion Sally Pearson announced her retirement one month before the championships.[103] Several reigning world champions could not attempt to defend their global titles due to injury, including Anita Włodarczyk (women's hammer throw),[104] Wayde van Niekerk (men's 400 m),[105] Ivana Španović (women's long jump),[106] Elijah Manangoi (men's 1500 m),[107] and Éider Arévalo (men's 20 km walk).[108]