28 February 2010

UKA today announced World and European Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis has withdrawn from the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team which is due to compete at the European Indoors from 4-6 March in Paris.

Ennis has called time on her indoor season due to an inflammation of the left ankle.

An MRI scan, her third since the injury occurred in mid February, shows positive improvement over the past two weeks but not enough to risk participating in a full pentathlon.

Ennis said: "I have thought long and hard about whether to compete at the European Indoor Championships in Paris this coming Friday, and if I am really honest I just don’t want to risk any further damage to my ankle and calf.

 "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. I cannot take this risk  the World Championships has to be my priority."

“I would like to wish the rest of the team a really successful Championships.” she added.

Ennis and her coach Toni Minichiello consulted with physiotherapist Alison Rose and the UKA Medical Team when coming to this decision.