08 March 2010

UKA today announced that reigning indoor and outdoor World Champion, Phillips Idowu will not defend his indoor crown in Doha later this week.

Idowu, who became a father for the second time last week, has cited personal reasons and a disrupted season for missing the IAAF World Indoor Championships. He said: "I am gutted not to be representing the Aviva GB Team in Doha and passing up the opportunity to defend my title. However the late arrival of my baby boy has meant that my training has been severely disrupted and I decided after talking with my coach that I’d not had the preparation we agreed was needed to do the British team proud.

"I was hoping to avoid this by competing in a larger than usual number of events early in the season, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Instead I will increase the training with a focus on the European Championships in Barcelona. I wish the team the best of luck in Doha."

UKA Head Coach, Charles van Commenee said: "I am disappointed that Phillips is not competing this week as he was a clear medal prospect for us. However I need to respect his decision and I look forward to him resuming winning ways in Barcelona in the summer."