Athletics: Radcliffe forced out by leg injury

A leg injury has forced the world marathon record holder, Paula Radcliffe, to withdraw from the Norwich Union Super Grand Prix meeting in London on 8 August.

The Commonwealth 5,000 metres champion and European Championship 10,000m gold medallist was planning to use the event as her build-up to the World Championships, which begin a fortnight later in Paris.

Radcliffe, a silver medallist over 10,000m in the World Championships in Seville four years ago, is looking for a gold over the distance this time.

"I am obviously very disappointed about having to miss London and the chance to compete in front of a home crowd." she said yesterday. "But in order to maximise my chances for Paris I have had to revise my racing plans."

Dwain Chambers will run both the 100m and 200m at the Norwich Union Super League meeting in Gateshead on 13 July as he considers running in both events in Paris. He will face Mark Lewis-Francis, the US champion, Bernard Williams, and the Commonwealth gold medallist, Kim Collins, in the 100m and will then take on his four likely rivals for a 200m World Championship place in Marlon Devonish, Darren Campbell, Christian Malcolm and Julian Golding.

Chambers said: "Paris is the main focus for this season and I'm considering doubling up in the 100m and 200m. Competition is fierce between the British sprinters and I need to keep all my options open."

Chambers was the third-ranked 200m runner in Britain last year, although at the British trials for the European Championships he could place only seventh after suffering an injury.