Athletics: World Indoors hurdles champion Derval O'Rourke has pulled out of the Woodie's DIY Irish Indoor Athletic Championships scheduled for the Odyssey Arena Belfast this weekend.
O'Rourke explained to organisers that she picked up a foot injury a few days ago. She saw her physio Ger Hartman, who in turn strongly advised against placing the foot under any significant pressure for at least the next two weeks.
The news comes as a big disappointment for the sprinter, but running the risk of further injury and jeopardising her key objective of the Olympic Games in Beijing later this year was too great.
O'Rourke was set to race against British UK Indoors record holder Sarah Claxton and former European Indoors Silver medalist Jenny Kallur of Sweden.
The women's High Jump will include Deidre Ryan who set a new national record of 1.92m when winning the AAA's title in 2006. She faces the former European Junior silver medalist Julian Hartmann of Germany who jumped 1.93m last March in Birmingham.
Northern Ireland 800m record holder James McIllroy will compete over 1500m and Gareth Turnbull will take the 3000m start line.
The event will be shown on RTE this Sunday night.
Official website: www.indoorathletics.net