Christie to miss Gateshead

Athletics

Linford Christie has pulled out of Britain's Bupa international match against the United States at Gateshead on Monday. Christie, who ran his fastest 100 metres of the season in Zurich on Wednesday night, said he has been advised by his medical team not to run.

A statement issued by his management company said Christie is "disappointed" about having to miss the meeting.

Those hoping to see Christie at Gateshead will be equally disappointed - and not a little bemused. The Olympic champion originally withdrew from the meeting on Monday, but before his run in Zurich it was announced he would run in the north-east if he came through.

Now he is out again - and, given that he ran two hugely testing races in Zurich on a dodgy knee - it is hardly a surprise. While the hamstring injury that contributed to him losing his world 100m title has cleared up, he is still troubled by a knee cartilage problem which requires painkillers and which will eventually need surgery.

He will have treatment before deciding whether to go ahead with races in Brussels next Friday, London two days later and Berlin on 1 September.

n Daniela Bartova, of the Czech Republic, set a world record for the women's pole vault when she cleared 4.20 metres at the Cologne grand prix last night. The previous best of 4.18 was set on 5 August by Andrea Mueller, of Germany.

n All 314 samples tested for drugs at the World Championships in Gothenburg were negative, the International Amateur Athletic Federation announced yesterday.