Greg Rutherford withdraws from World Indoor Championships
By Ben Reynolds
Last Updated: 11/03/16 11:10am
Long-jump world champion Greg Rutherford has pulled out of the World Indoor Championships as he continues his recovery from a chest infection and minor hamstring problem.
The Olympic gold medalist will not travel to Portland for the Championships, which take place between March 17-20, with the Rio Olympics this summer his main focus for the year.
It is the latest blow to Rutherford's Rio preparations after he was forced to miss last month's British Indoor Championships and Glasgow Grand Prix.
He had started the year in encouraging form after jumping 8.26m in Albuquerque to lie second in the world rankings.
British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black said: "Greg is really disappointed not to be able to compete in Portland, but his body reacted harder than expected to this week's training.
"Defending the Olympic title is obviously Greg's main focus for 2016, so he has sensibly decided not to take any risks and to end his indoor season here.
"This will allow him the opportunity to concentrate on being in the best shape possible going into the outdoor season and ultimately Rio."
GB team for World Indoor Championships in Portland, March 17-20:
Men
60m - James Dasaolu, Andrew Robertson
1500m - Charlie Grice, Chris O'Hare
3,000m - Lee Emanuel, Tom Farrell
60m hurdles - Lawrence Clarke
High jump - Chris Baker, Robbie Grabarz
Long jump - Dan Bramble,
Women
60m - Dina Asher-Smith, Asha Philip
800m - Lynsey Sharp, Adelle Tracey
3,000m - Josephine Moultrie, Steph Twell
60m hurdles - Tiffany Porter, Serita Solomon
High jump - Isobel Pooley
Long jump - Shara Proctor, Lorraine Ugen
Pentathlon - Morgan Lake
