Mo Farah withdraws from Commonwealth Games, admitting to concerns over fitness

Glasgow, Scotland: The double Olympic champion was hospitalised a fortnight ago and has pulled out of the Glasgow games as a precaution.

Mo Farah has dealt Glasgow a massive blow by withdrawing from both his events at the Commonwealth Games.

The double Olympic and World champion was due to bookend the athletics programme by contesting the 5,000 and 10,000 metres.

Instead, he will watch them on television at his training base in Font Romeu whilst trying to get fit for next month's European Championships in Zurich.

Farah's participation has been in doubt since he was hospitalised in America a fortnight ago with abdominal pains.

Though British Athletics talked up his prospects with what always smacked of blind optimism, Britain's long-distance legend is in no mood to take a risk.

Farah said: "I have taken the tough decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games. The sickness I had two weeks ago was a big setback for me.

"Training is getting better here in Font Romeu but I need another few weeks to get back to the level I was at in 2012 and 2013.

"I really wanted to add the Commonwealth titles to my Olympic and World Championships but the event is coming a few weeks too soon for me as my body is telling me it's not ready to race yet."

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson made no attempt to mask her disappointment.

"It is a real blow for any athlete to miss out on a major championships through injury, but to have fought so hard to regain full fitness and to have to take such a difficult decision at this stage is particularly hard," she said.

"We wish Mo all the very best and hope to see him back to his peak very soon."