Idowu Pulls Out Of Doha
World Championship gold medal winning triple jumper Phillips Idowu has decided to withdraw from the forthcoming World Indoor Championships in Doha.
The 31-year old Brit has not pulled out of this weekends event due to illness or injury though, Idou's second child was born last week and the athlete feels that his head is therefore not in the right place to complete.
I am gutted not to be representing GB in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my indoor title," said Idowu.
"However the late arrival of my baby boy has meant that my training has been severely disrupted."
Idowu will be delighted at the healthy arrival of his new baby boy but that happiness may contain an ever so slight regret that he wont be able to compete this weekend.
Idowu has not yet been able to match the heights of last season this year and was disappointed with his showing at the UK Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham last month and will now have to wait to attempt to prove his doubters wrong.
Idowu added: "I decided after talking to my coach that I had not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud.
"I was hoping to avoid this by competing in a larger than usual number of events early in the season, but it hasn't worked out that way.
"Instead I will increase the training with a focus on the European Championships in Barcelona. I wish the team the best of luck in Doha."
The rest of the 37-man Great Britain team will be hoping for as successful championship this week as the outdoor championships last year in Berlin.
Disgraced sprinter Dwain Chambers is one of the more high profile competitors and will be racing in the men's 60m, an event in which he has had success in the past.
Pentathlon star and Outdoor World Championship Heptathlon winner Jessica Ennis will also be attempting to continue her ascent to super stardom with a win in Doha.
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