Kidney failure gives Malcolm race against time

Christian Malcolm's Olympic aspirations have been severely upset by having to spend five days in hospital with a form of kidney failure, it emerged yesterday.

Christian Malcolm's Olympic aspirations have been severely upset by having to spend five days in hospital with a form of kidney failure, it emerged yesterday.

The former European indoor 200 metres champion felt unwell after arriving at the British preparation camp in Paphos, Cyprus, on 9 August and, on the advice of doctors from UK Athletics, he went to a local hospital.

Malcolm came out of hospital on Sunday and has resumed full-time training ahead of the 200m qualifying rounds, which get underway on Tuesday.

He was a finalist in Sydney four years ago and had been hoping to improve on that performance here in Athens.

A UK Athletics statement said Malcolm was back in training and that medical tests had indicated significant improvements in his health. He was said to be confident of competing in Athens.

"Even though it was such a serious condition, the doctors were wicked and helped me stay positive and get through it OK," Malcolm said in thestatement. "Now I just want to run, enjoy it and see what happens."

The team doctor, Bryan English, commented: "Fortunately all serious cases of the condition were ruled out and it seems likely that it was caused by a virus. As a result of Christian's physical fitness, his speed of recovery has been remarkable and he should now be able to compete at the Games."