January 15, 2008 (Quebec City, QC) – On January 8 we reported that Alex Harvey was due to have an operation on his leg last Friday, Jan. 11 (here) but the operation was cancelled. We contacted Harvey to find out why the operation was cancelled and for an update on his situation and he sent us the following reply.

“The operation on my leg did not go as planned. The doctor measured the arterial blood pressure with a catheter above and below the spot where my artery is compressed. Since I never have troubles at rest – or even with light training – the pressure measurements were OK.

“The doctor decided not to try to dilate the artery with a small balloon so it will be necessary to have another operation. The next time I will have to run on a treadmill until my leg hurts, then immediately lie down on the operating table and have the doctor measure the arterial pressure again. If the doctor notes a difference he will be able to perform the surgery. To measure the arterial pressure last Friday (Jan. 11), the doctor had to put a catheter into the artery, and now I must rest for three days, as if I had had the complete surgery. I’m disappointed because the problem is not resolved but have the disadvantages of the operation without any benefits. My mother is a doctor but she was away in Cuba and returned today. It would have been nice if she could have assisted with the surgery because she would have been able to explain the problem to the surgeon in detail.

“With Louis Bouchard, my coach, we had envisaged three rest days in my training plan so this does not affect my plans adn preparation for upcoming races. I will start training Monday and leave for Europe on Thursday (Jan.17). I will arrive in Europe on the morning of the 18th to join the National team which left on January 13. We will compete at races on the weekend of January 19-20, but these will be difficult for me since I will be adapting to the trans-Atlantic time difference. Then we will do a small training camp in Ramsau, Austria and then join the national team in Poland. I feel in very good form and I am hopeful to do well at the 2008 World Junior U23 Championships! My objective remains always to win a race!”