Katarina Johnson-Thompson sidelined by hamstring injury
Thursday 16 February 2017 18:09, UK
Katarina Johnson-Thompson has been ruled out of the Indoor Grand Prix but is expected to be fit for the European Indoor Championships.
The 24-year-old has suffered a minor hamstring strain and has been advised to rest ahead of the championships in Belgrade next month.
Johnson-Thompson already has the qualifying standard for the British Athletics squad after posting 6.69m and finishing second in the long jump at the Indoor Trials in Sheffield last weekend.
She will focus on the long jump after opting not to defend her 2015 pentathlon crown but will miss the grand prix in Birmingham on Saturday to protect her fitness.
Johnson-Thompson said: "I'm truly gutted to not be able to compete at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham this weekend. I love competing, especially in the UK and at the Birmingham indoors which is always such a good event with amazing support for all of the athletes.
"After a solid opening to my season last weekend, I was confident in producing an even better performance here so I am really disappointed that I won't have that chance.
"Good luck to all of the athletes competing - there is such a talented field not just in the long jump that I'm sure the event will be a success and the fans will be treated to a good spectacle."
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah is due to race in Birmingham with Laura Muir attempting to set a new 1,000m world record while Dina Asher-Smith will face double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson in the 60m.
