OLYMPIC long jump champion Heike Drechsler has denied she has withdrawn from the Games and insisted she still hopes to recover from a knee injury in time to defend her gold medal.

A statement released on Monday in Atlanta by her manager, Michael Mronz, quoted her as saying she would not make the German team.

But Drechsler (31), says she will give herself until July 28th to decide whether to compete. "If I can jump 6.80 to 6.90 metres in practice, I will go to Atlanta," she told a radio interviewer.

But, in another twist last night, Drechsler's manager insisted again that she was definitely out of the Games and that she would not be defending her Olympic crown.

The Mronz said the a radio interview had been misinterpreted and added "Monday's statement remains correct."