Ankle injury blocks title defence for Rutherford

Long jump champion Greg Rutherford has been ruled out of the World Championships in London with an ankle injury.

The 30-year-old has failed to recover from the problem he suffered competing in Italy last month, British Athletics has announced.

“I did everything I could, but a string of injuries at the worst possible time means I will be unable to defend my world title in London,” said Rutherford.

“With an incredible start to the year in training, I have had a difficult series of setbacks as the season progressed.

“Most recently, a badly damaged ankle ligament and a sportsman’s hernia put paid to my plans. The injuries have taken longer to heal than we hoped, and I have been unable to even jump at all in training.

“That stadium is such a special place for me, I am so devastated that I won’t be competing in front of the best fans in the world, in the stadium that changed my life.

“But I’ll be there to support my team mates.

“My focus will now turn to 2018 and becoming a three time European champion on the trot, something no long jumper has ever done before.”

Rutherford won his Olympic title in London five years ago and claimed the Commonwealth Games crown and European gold medal in 2014.

Performance director Neil Black said: “Greg is one of only a few British athletes to complete the ‘Grand Slam’ of medals, but that won’t make missing London any easier.

“He desperately wanted to defend his world title in front of the home crowd.”

His withdrawal came as British Athletics confirmed the 81-athlete squad for the World Championships, starting next week.

Shara Proctor and Jazmin Sawyers are added in the long jump with Lennie Waite (3000m steeplechase), Marc Scott (5000m) and Jess Turner (400m hurdles) also in.

But Richard Kilty has had to withdraw from the 4x100m relay squad with a broken finger.