Athletics: Ennis to miss Beijing

Ennis: ankle injury

We are all gutted for her.

UKA performance director Dave Collins
Quotes of the week

Jessica Ennis will miss the Beijing Olympics due to an ankle injury, UK Athletics have confirmed.

A scan on Monday revealed the hepthathlete was suffering from three stress fractures in her right ankle.

Ennis had felt discomfort in the joint for several weeks and was forced to withdraw after the first day's action at the IAAF World Challenge Hypo Meeting in Gotzis last Saturday when the problem flared up during the high jump.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, who was lying second at the time after completing four disciplines, pulled out as a precautionary measure and returned home for a scan, which revealed the full extent of the injury.

The 22-year-old was regarded as one of Britain's best medal hopes in Beijing, especially given the absence of defending champion Carolina Kluft.

"I'm obviously upset with the results and I'm gutted to be missing out on my first Olympics, but injury is part of life as a heptathlete," said Ennis.

"I am determined to make a full and speedy recovery from this and enjoy a long athletics career."

Cruel timing

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins added: "This is nothing but terrible luck and is a sickening blow for Jess.

"Obviously with the Olympic Games just a matter of weeks away, the timing could not have been more cruel.

"I have every confidence that Jess has the physical ability, talent and mental toughness to move on from this and look forward to a long and successful career in the sport. We are all gutted for her."

Ennis' domestic rival, Kelly Sotherton - also a medal prospect in Beijing - expressed her disappointment at the news.

"I'm utterly speechless," said Sotherton. "I can't even begin to imagine how Jess must be feeling now - I know that I would be devastated.

"This is a really cruel blow for her and I'm so sorry that she won't be out competing with me in Beijing but she is a strong athlete and I wish her all the very best for a speedy recovery."

Injury problems

The athletics programme gets under way in Beijing on August 15 with Great Britain's team having been plagued by injuries in the build-up.

Sotherton has only just recovered from a kidney complaint that saw her miss the Gotzis event, although she is adamant she can be fit for China.

Paula Radcliffe is also determined to compete despite specialist advice her thigh injury will make it impossible to run the marathon and is expected to make a final decision very shortly.

Mark Lewis-Francis, who anchored Team GB to the 4x100metres relay gold medal four years ago in Athens, has already been ruled out after surgery on an Achilles injury.

And Nicola Sanders, the world 400m silver medallist, is suffering from a knee injury that has delayed her first appearance of the season.