• Athletics

Ennis-Hill ruled out of World Championships

Jessica Ennis-Hill has pulled out of the World Championships with an Achilles injury © PA Photos

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Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has confirmed that she will not compete at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow after failing to overcome an Achilles injury.

The Olympic heptathlon champion joins reigning world champion Tatyana Chernova in missing the Championships in Moscow, having made her comeback to the sport just a week ago after a year on the sidelines.

"Up until now we have been focusing on managing the pain so I can train and get myself in shape to go out there to win in Moscow - which has meant not focusing on finding a cure for the injury," Ennis-Hill said in a statement.

"The time has now come to stop chasing fitness and look to cure the problem."

Ennis-Hill's chances of claiming a second World Championships crown following her 2009 victory in Berlin appeared slim after her performance at the Anniversary Games at the Olympic stadium, one year on from her gold medal-winning performance at London 2012.

Finishing fourth in the 100m hurdles and eighth in the long-jump confirmed Ennis-Hill's fears that she was not yet back to her best.

"I am so glad I got to compete in London last weekend as it gave me a clear picture of where I am - and it is definitely not where I want to be both regarding pain and also form.

"To say I am gutted is an understatement - no athlete likes to miss the opportunity to compete at a major Championships - they don't come round that often."

Ennis-Hill's coach Toni Minichiello said that while the 26-year-old's form was a concern, her long-term welfare was at the forefront of their decision to pull out of the World Championships.

"It's not been the easiest or simplest of decisions," Minichiello told Sky Sports News.

"The pain management did improve, and Jessica was able to compete in London, but the next few days have not seen enough improvement that would have made completing the two day, seven events of the Heptathlon possible."

British Athletics performance director Neil Black believes Ennis-Hill has made the right choice. "I know this has been a tough decision for Toni and Jess but I feel it is the right one with the long term view."

Chernova, who claimed gold ahead of Ennis-Hill in Daegu in 2011, withdrew from the Championships on Monday. The Russian, who would have enjoyed home support in Moscow, is also suffering with an Achilles injury.

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