Britain's top 400m sprinter Tim Benjamin will miss the Olympics in Beijing due to illness.
Illness rules 400m sprinter out of the Olympics
Britain's top 400m sprinter Tim Benjamin will miss the Olympics in Beijing due to illness.
Benjamin, who reached the 400m semi-finals in the 2004 Games, has had his preparations for the competition disrupted by ill health - with the 26-year-old undergoing sinus surgery.
That has meant that despite warm weather camps in South Africa and Cyprus, Benjamin has been unable to get the necessary preparation in - with the Welshman finishing last in the 400m in Ostrava this year.
Benjamin will take a break from training in a bid to allow his body to fully recover.
UKA performance director Dave Collins said: "This is a very sensible decision for Tim to have made.
"He is an ambitious lad who wants to achieve at the highest level and is not happy just to settle for second best.
"The important thing now is for him to fully recuperate and get back to full health to enable him to have a good winter's training and to come back stronger for 2009.
"Our team of specialists will be working closely with Tim to help ensure he fulfils these aims."
