Injury blow to Jarrett's prospects

Athletics

Tony Jarrett, a major medal hope for Britain at next month's European Indoor Champion- ships, has sustained a back injury which threatens to bring his indoor season to a premature end.

Jarrett, one of only two British medallists at last year's World Indoor Championships, gave notice of his current competitive shape in Birmingham last weekend when he beat the world champion, Allen Johnson, over 60 metres hurdles.

His participation in Stockholm, however, is now in serious doubt after back pain in training on Thursday rendered him immobile for quarter of an hour.

"Tony felt a twinge when he was lifting weights and then it went again while he was hurdling. He had the same problem 12 weeks ago, and that time it took 10 days to clear up," Jarrett's coach, Mike McFarlane, said.

"If he is not right by Tuesday, he will not be doing the match against France on the Saturday, and he won't have enough racing to do the Europeans. We have to get this properly sorted with the Olympics coming up."

Jarrett has pulled out of tomorrow's Ricoh Tour international at Lievin, but John Regis and Darren Braithwaite, will run at 60m and 200m respectively.

Regis will face Frankie Fredericks, who leads the world indoor standings this year with 20.37sec and set a 100m indoor world record of 10.05 in Finland during the week.