• Cycling

Pendleton withdraws from Commonwealths

ESPN staff
July 19, 2010
Victoria Pendleton has joined Sir Chris Hoy in withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games © Getty Images
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Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton has become the latest big name to pull out of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

The 29-year-old wants to concentrate on the European Championships in October - which acts as a qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics. Pendleton, who won sprint gold in Beijing, admits she is disappointed to be missing the Delhi Games but insists she had no other choice.

"It's a no-brainer, points for Olympics qualification are on offer," Pendleton, who also won sprint gold at Melbourne in 2006, told BBC Sport.

"Unfortunately you are not going to jeopardise going to the London Olympics, so we have to go to the Europeans. It's really unfortunate we can't do both competitions and support the Commonwealth Games.

"But we have been put in a situation where the European Championships clash and we can't ignore an opportunity to gain points for the Olympics."

Pendleton's omission is likely to disappoint organisers of the Delhi Games - who have already seen the likes of Usain Bolt and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis withdraw.

Sir Chris Hoy also pulled out, on Friday, after declaring that the Commonwealth Games would hamper his preparations for the European Championships.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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