Athletics: Lack of fitness forces Boldon out of Games

Ato Boldon is abruptly ending his injury-plagued season, citing a lack of fitness for his decision not to defend his 100 metres title at the Commonwealth Games. His father, Guy Boldon, said he supported the decision and hoped it would give his son a break that would allow him to come back fighting for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Boldon's father added: "Ato is currently running the times he did 10 years ago when he first burst on to the international scene. It isn't easy to double up as much as he has done over those 10 years and not suffer at some time. I feel with rest he will rebound to be a threat in the 2004 Olympics."

Boldon's American coach, John Smith, blamed the sprinter's lack of preparation for poor results that led to his decision to end the season. The 28-year-old runner did most of his pre-season work at home in Trinidad and Tobago, a departure from previous years when he worked out exclusively with team-mates in California.

He had said he wanted to step out of the shadow of his American rival Maurice Greene, but he will undoubtedly rethink his preparations for next year as he targets a return in time for the World Championships and then the Olympics.