Phillips Idowu pulls out of Olympic trials

Former world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu
today became the latest athlete to pull out of this weekend's Olympic
trials in Birmingham, sparking injury fears just weeks ahead of the
London Games.

Idowu has competed just three times in 2012 and suffered an unspecified injury on his last appearance, which was in the Diamond League meeting in Oregon on June 2.

The 33-year-old struggled to hit top form with leaps of 16.43 metres and 17.05m, before injuring himself when he fouled with his third attempt. He took no further part in the competition.

Idowu, who subsequently withdrew from the Bislett Games in Oslo, had previously been unbeaten this year with winning leaps of 17.24m and 17.31m in Shanghai and Hengelo.

UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee said Idowu and fellow absentees Yamile Aldama - the world indoor triple jump champion - and world 1,500m silver medallist Hannah England were aiming to compete at the London Grand Prix on July 13-14, but declined to clarify Idowu's situation due to issues of "medical confidentiality".

By not competing at the trials, Idowu will have to rely on a discretionary place on the team, but that will be a formality if he is fit, with Van Commenee adding: "It's not a worry. He is selectable."

PA