Ennis to miss Olympics

Jessica Ennis, one of the favourites for an Olympic heptathlon medal this summer, will miss the Beijing Games after suffering a stress fracture to her right ankle.

The 22-year-old has been troubled by the injury for a few weeks and was forced to withdraw after the first day's action at the IAAF World Challenge Hypo Meeting in Gotzis on Saturday when the problem flared up during the high jump.

The young multi-eventer is still trying to come to terms with the shock news, and said: "I'm obviously upset with the results and I'm gutted to be missing out on my first Olympics, but injury is part of life as a heptathlete."

She added: "I am determined to make a full and speedy recovery from this and enjoy a long athletics career."

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins said: "This is nothing but terrible luck and is a sickening blow for Jess. Obviously with the Olympic Games just a matter of weeks away, the timing could not have been more cruel.

"I have every confidence that Jess has the physical ability, talent and mental toughness to move on from this and look forward to a long and successful career in the sport. We are all gutted for her."