Britain's Phillips Idowu pulls out of World Indoors

Great Britain’s World triple jump gold medal winner Phillips Idowu has withdrawn from the World Indoor Championships in Doha later this week.

The 31-year-old, who won World Championship gold outdoors in Berlin last summer, made the decision for personal reasons following the birth of his second child last week.

Idowu said: “I am gutted not to be representing the Aviva GB Team in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my title.

“However the late arrival of my baby boy has meant that my training has been severely disrupted and I decided after talking with my coach that I’d not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud.

“I was hoping to avoid this by competing in a larger than usual number of events early in the season, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

“Instead I will increase the training with a focus on the European Championships in Barcelona. I wish the team the best of luck in Doha.”