Wariner withdraws from athletics worlds

Aug 3, 2011, 9:31 GMT

Washington - Two-times 400 metres champion Jeremy Wariner of the United States has withdrawn from the upcoming world championships for injury reasons.

The national athletics federation USATF said late Tuesday that Wariner tore a toe ligament in his left foot, which rules him out of the August 27-September 4 worlds in Daegu, South Korea.

'I am disappointed that I will not be able to try to regain the world title in the 400 meters in Daegu,' Wariner said in a statement. 'Right now my focus is to get healthy, prepare for the 2012 season and try for my second Olympic gold medal in the 400.'

Wariner, 27, won Olympic 400m gold in 2004 and the world title over the distance in 2005 and 2007.

He was beaten for gold by countryman LaShawn Merritt at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 worlds. The Daegu races were to be their first showdown in two years after Merritt's recent return from a 21-month doping ban.

Merritt is automatically qualified for Daegu as holder, but not eligible for the 2012 Olympics in London because of the doping ban under current International Olympic Committee legislation. However, this rule is being reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.