Olsson withdraws from worlds

Stockholm:

Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson has pulled out of the World Championships because of a hamstring injury, the Swedish Athletics Association said on Tuesday.

Olsson tore a muscle in the back of his left thigh during the Golden League competition in Rome on July 13.

The 27-year-old Swede had hoped to recover fully in time for the World Championships but aggravated the injury during practice in Marugame, Japan, on Monday.

"In the third jump I suddenly felt something in the back (of the thigh) and then there was no doubt, it's just not possible right now," Olsson said.

He said he would skip the rest of the season to focus on rehabilitation.

"Of course it feels very heavy right now but I've been through many injuries before and know how I will come back even though the road can be long," he said.

Olsson won gold medals at the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympics.

The worlds begin Saturday in Osaka, Japan.