Posted: February 28, 2005

Athletics: Injured, Holmes Withdraws From European Indoor Championships

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

Citing injury, double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has withdrawn from this weekend's European Indoor Athletics Championships in Madrid, UK Athletics announced today.

During a training session on Saturday at her South African base, Holmes experienced a sharp pain in her hamstring that was later diagnosed as a hamstring tear. Her coach, Margo Jennings, and medical staff advised Holmes to withdraw from the championships.

"I am very disappointed that I have been forced to withdraw as training has been going really well over the last four to five days," Holmes said in a statement issued by UK Athletics. "I was looking forward to competing."

Holmes is now scheduled to receive daily intensive treatment in South Africa with the intention of minimizing any long term impact and to try and ensure the best possible outcome for her outdoor season.

"Given Kelly’s high incidence of recurrent hamstring injury, it is vital that we manage this appropriately," said Dr. Bruce Hamilton, the team's medical officer, "and Kelly has been advised to withdraw from these Championships in order to prevent any long term consequences."