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Page last updated at 21:12 GMT, Tuesday, 22 July 2008 22:12 UK

Idowu rival Olsson out of Games

Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson
Olsson also missed last year's World Championships through injury

Defending Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson has withdrawn from next month's Beijing Games after suffering another injury.

The 28-year-old pulled a thigh muscle in his fourth jump at Tuesday's IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm.

Olsson has been plagued by injuries since winning gold in Athens in 2004.

The Swede's absence makes Britain's Phillips Idowu an even stronger favourite to prevail in Beijing.

Idowu regrets Olsson Olympic withdrawal

"The Olympics are gone, the whole season is gone," the former world and European gold medallist told Swedish radio.

Olsson also revealed he is now considering his future in athletics.

"I was nervous about how the body would react, I've suffered from niggling injuries for so long," he said.

"Now I'll have to see if it's going to heal. It's just so difficult at this level.

If Phillips can keep going and maybe get better, he will be the biggest favourite in Beijing

Christian Olsson

"Oddly enough, I'm not so disappointed. I've had a fantastic career but now I have to think about what's going to happen in the future."

Olsson believes Idowu will now go on to replace him as Olympic champion.

"I think he is definitely the favourite," Olsson added. "No-one else so far has shown they are in any shape and it is only a few weeks away.

"If Phillips can keep going and maybe get better, he will be the biggest favourite in Beijing."




see also
Injury forces Olsson out of Osaka
21 Aug 07 |  Athletics
Olsson sails to home-town glory
12 Aug 06 |  Athletics
Team GB for Beijing
21 Jul 08 |  Team GB
Athletics on the BBC
22 Jul 08 |  Athletics
Contact TV team
08 Apr 08 |  Athletics


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