Athletics: Richardson to miss out on Games

Mark Richardson, Britain's leading 400 metres runner, has become the latest addition to the injured list for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next month.

The 29-year-old won a silver medal in Kuala Lumpur four years ago and was the favourite for the title this year. He was also expected to be among the favourites at the European Championships in Munich in August, which he will now also be forced to miss.

Richardson said that intensive physiotherapy had failed to cure his Achilles tendon injury and added that he may require surgery. "I'm desperately disappointed to miss the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. My season is almost certainly over," he said.

"But, looking at the bigger picture, the main aim is to be fit and healthy for the 2004 Olympics and if I have to sacrifice this year, so be it. Without a shadow of a doubt, I can return to my best."

Two years ago, Richardson was forced to miss the Sydney Olympics after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone. His two-year ban was cut to nine months on grounds that he had ingested the drug in a contaminated dietary supplement.

The Commonwealth Games, runs from 25 July to 4 August.