Nike Oregon Project headliners Matthew Centrowitz and Galen Rupp will not compete in this year's Prefontaine Classic, Oregon Project coach Alberto Salazar said.

Centrowitz, who won the World Indoor 1,500-meter title at the Oregon Convention Center in March, had hoped to race in the Pre Classic's Bowerman Mile. But he has been dealing with a stress reaction in his left leg, Salazar said.

The former University of Oregon runner has recovered and resumed training outside at the Oregon Project's altitude training camp in Utah, but is not race sharp.

"He has no more pain, and has flown back to Park City," Salazar said.

Rupp, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist for 10,000, had considered running in the Pre Classic's 10,000.

But he and Salazar were reluctant to interrupt Rupp's training.

Rupp, also a former UO star, won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February. He will attempt to qualify for Team USA in the 10,000 in the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field, July 1-10. He has been running 145 miles per week during his build up.

"He looks fantastic," Salazar said.

Centrowitz and Rupp join two other high-profile defections. Ethiopian distance star Genzebe Dibaba has withdrawn from the women's 5,000, citing a toe injury. And U.S. sprinter Allyson Felix has withdrawn from the 400, her coach told Reuters yesterday, because of an injured ankle.

One local star has been added to the meet.

Ryan Crouser, a graduate of Barlow High of Gresham who had a strong college career at Texas, has joined the field for the men's shot. Crouser most recently won the 2016 NCAA Indoor shot title.

The Pre Classic begins Friday at Hayward Field and continues Saturday.

You can find the meet schedule here.

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The injured Felix will not compete at all in May.

Reigning world champ Hyvin Kiyeng will tangle with U.S. star Emma Coburn in the Prefontaine Classic women's steeplechase.

Croatian star Sandra Perkovic will defend her Pre Classic discus title.

Olympic champ Keshorn Walcott will start his season at the Pre Classic.

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Dathan Ritzenhein is unsure about whether he will attempt to make the U.S. Olympic team in the 10,000.

Mark Cullen writes about a poignant moment with Steve Prefontaine.

South Eugene grad Erin Clark and Kaitlyn Benner comprise Colorado's dynamic distance duo.

Five Portland State Vikings gear up for the NCAA West Regional.

Paul Merca: Lane Community College high jumper Dakarai Hightower claims the NWAC record, edges closer to an Olympic Trials qualifier.

DyeStat.com has video of Hightower's record clearance.

Chris Nilsen, the U.S. high school record-holder in the pole vault, is headed to the University of South Dakota.

FloTrack's latest list of which U.S. men and which U.S. women have Olympic standards.

Every elite athlete has a choice, Phoebe Wright writes in RunBlogRun: Commit or cower.

For Ajee' Wilson, consistency is the key to success.

Three things to know about pole vaulter Shawn Barber.

Putter Adam Nelson will give the Olympics one last shot.

Nelson, 40, is the 2004 Olympic gold medalist.

Shante Little blogs about the freedom to choose happiness.

As many as nine Russians could lose medals from the 2008 Olympics after the retesting of samples.

The Russians say they will ban any athlete with a doping violation from their Olympic team.

This week's RunnerSpace Live is a pre Pre edition.

NCAA indoor and outdoor champ Jake Mihelich leads Linfield's contingent to the NCAA Division III Championships.

Eight George Fox athletes head to the NCAA Division III Championships in Waverly, Iowa.

The USTFCCCA previews the NCAA Division III Championships.

Corban athletes are primed for big performances at the NAIA Championships.

The front page for LetsRun.com.

The links package from Track & Field News.

The USTFCCCA Daily newsletter.

The links from Duck Sports Now.

The links from Beaver Sports Now.

-- Ken Goe

4503-221-8040 | @KenGoe