5 August 2009

UKA today announced two withdrawals from the Aviva GB and NI team ahead of this month’s IAAF World Championships in Berlin 15-23 August.

Olympic silver medallist Germaine Mason (Birchfield Harriers) injured his ankle whilst competing in Stockholm on Friday night and a subsequent scan showed a significant ankle ligament injury in his take off leg, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Toby Sandeman (Thames Valley), the European U23 200m Champion, has withdrawn citing a lack of fitness due to an ongoing foot problem that has hampered his ability to train since returning from Lithuania.

UKA Head Coach Charles van Commenee said: “This is another blow to the team and the loss of Germaine, a proven championship performer, is particularly disappointing. His was an injury sustained in competition, which is unfortunately an occupational hazard with elite athletes.

“Toby has been receiving treatment for an ongoing foot problem and has been unable to train over the last couple of weeks and of course that is not ideal preparation for competing at the World Championships. However we need to look ahead to the Championships and our focus is on the final preparations for those athletes who will be competing in Berlin.”