Greene has failed to recover from a hamstring injury picked up in the final of the 100m at the World Championships in Edmonton.

Organisers remain hopeful he will run but Greene's manager Emanuel Hudson said that while the sprinter would attend the Games, which began in Brisbane on Wednesday, he was not fit enough to take part.

"Maurice is going and will participate in the festivities, but he will not compete," said Hudson.

"We had every intention of him competing in the Goodwill Games up until Monday afternoon when he called because he had a problem at practice.

"His leg gave out and he said it wasn't holding up."

Greene was due to be one of the star attractions at the Games along with fellow Americans Marion Jones and Michael Johnson.

And news of his withdrawal came as a surprise in Australia where Greene's arrival had been eagerly anticipated.

"We have been in touch with him. He has plane reservations and he's flying in on 2 September," Goodwill Games public relations director Jeff Pomeroy said.