World and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has withdrawn from this week’s European indoor athletics championships due to an ankle injury, British team officials said on Monday.

Ennis had been due to compete in the pentathlon at the March 4-6 event in Paris but an MRI scan on an ankle injury sustained two weeks ago showed that it had not completely recovered.

“I have thought long and hard about whether to compete and if I am really honest I just don’t want to risk any further damage to my ankle and calf,” Ennis said in a statement.

“As it is, the inflammation and fluid build up is reducing, and I could potentially get through the pentathlon with medication, but there is no guarantee that it will not worsen as a result and then mess up the start of my outdoor season.”

Ennis missed the 2008 Olympics with a broken bone in her foot and added: “I cannot take the risk. The world championships (in South Korea in August/September) has to be my priority.”

To submit comments you must first

Join the discussion & Debate

Injured Ennis misses European indoor champs

For Commenters Consideration | Please stick to the subject matter