Meadows to miss rest of season

Former world 800 metres bronze medallist Jenny Meadows will miss the World Championships in Moscow after being ruled out of the rest of the season with a stress fracture in her femur, British Athletics has confirmed.

The 32-year-old had only recently returned from a long-term Achilles injury that saw her miss last season, including a heartbreaking absence from the London Olympics. She was fourth in the 800m at the European Indoor Championships in March in Gothenburg but that will be the high point of the year given her diagnosis.

Meadows said: "This has obviously come as a shock as I had a full season of races planned and coming off the indoor season we were just so positive. Training was going so well, and my times were indicating I could compete for a medal in Moscow and set a career best time this season."

She added: "It feels especially cruel on the back of the heartache of missing last year's Games and then getting myself back to such great shape.

"But whereas last year it went right to the wire, at least I have a bit more time to get my head around it this season.

"I won't disappear off the scene, I'll be the loudest supporter of the British team this year and I'm looking forward to seeing my friends and team-mates compete in Gateshead and Moscow.

"As for my plans, I will work with the UKA medical staff to overcome this and get back to competition in 2014.

"There is the lure of three potential medals to keep me motivated at the world indoors, European Championships and Commonwealth Games. I've shown I can get back before and I will do so again."