Zelezny has been a dominant figure in the sport for over a decade
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Three-time Olympic javelin champion Jan Zelezny has withdrawn from his farewell event because of an Achilles injury.
The 40-year-old Czech had planned to make this weekend's Yokohama meeting his last appearance before retiring.
But he has now decided not to make the trip to Japan, saying it would be "too hard" for his body to cope with.
Zelezny, who was also world champion in 1993, 1995 and 2001, and set five world records, will work for the IOC and coach in Prague after his retirement.
The former army officer has been struggling with a persistent Achilles injury in recent seasons, a problem which kept him out of last year's World Championships.
Zelezny won Olympic gold medals in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney.
He still holds the world best of 98.48m and won bronze at the European Championships in Gothenburg earlier this year.
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