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Benjamin's Melbourne dream dashed

01/02/2006

Welsh 400m runner Tim Benjamin has been forced to pull out of this year's Commonwealth Games through injury.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a superb 2005, emerging on the world scene after qualifying for the 400m final at the World Championships in Helsinki in a tournament that generally saw Britain's men disappoint.

But a groin injury has curtailed his winter preparations and the Welshman admits that he is not in the shape needed to do himself justice in Melbourne next month.

"I have only been able to train sporadically at 50 per cent for the past two months and - although I am aerobically fit - I will not have enough time to do the necessary speed work to compete at the top level in Melbourne," he said.

He added: "Running for Wales means a lot to me and I am very disappointed to be unable to go to Australia. I need to use the next four months to get back to full fitness before the European Championships."

Benjamin is rated as Britain's number one 400m runner and his absence will be a crushing blow to the Wales team's hopes of a good medal haul in Australia.

The team will now be relying on sprinter Christian Malcolm and middle-distance runner Hayley Tullet to bring home the glory from the track events.

"To lose such a talented athlete from the squad is a massive blow and our best wishes go out to Tim at this time," Welsh Athletics director of coaching Phil Banning said.

"We are confident that he is getting the full support necessary to ensure that his recovery process is swift and that he will be back to compete against the best in the world later this year."

Meanwhile, Scotland's team was also handed a blow today with the news that promising 400m hurdler Nick Stewart has been ruled out of the Games with a back problem.

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