LONDON, July 26 (Xinhua) -- World long jump champion Greg Rutherford has announced to withdraw from next month's World Championships in London because of an ankle injury.
Rutherford, also the gold medalist at the London Olympics, said he had done "everything" he could to compete at the stadium where he won the champion five years ago but had failed to overcome an ankle ligament injury.
"With an incredible start to the year in training, and very promising early season form, I have had a difficult series of setbacks as the season progressed," added Rutherford.
"Most recently, a badly damaged ankle ligament and a sportsman's hernia, really put paid to my plans. The injuries have taken longer to heal than we hoped, and I have been unable to even jump at all in training, let alone compete.
"I am truly gutted. That stadium is such a special place for me, I am so devastated that I won't be competing in front of the best fans in the world, in the stadium that changed my life."
Team GB will send an 81-strong team to the World Championships which takes place from 4 to 13 August at the London Stadium.
