Idowu rival Olsson out of Games

Defending Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson has withdrawn from next month's Beijing Games after suffering another injury.

The 28-year-old pulled a thigh muscle in his fourth jump at Tuesday's IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm.

Olsson has been plagued by injuries since winning gold in Athens in 2004.

The Swede's absence makes Britain's Phillips Idowu an even stronger favourite to prevail in Beijing.

"The Olympics are gone, the whole season is gone," the former world and European gold medallist told Swedish radio.

Olsson also revealed he is now considering his future in athletics.

"I was nervous about how the body would react, I've suffered from niggling injuries for so long," he said.

"Now I'll have to see if it's going to heal. It's just so difficult at this level.

"If Phillips can keep going and maybe get better, he will be the biggest favourite in Beijing"
Christian Olsson

"Oddly enough, I'm not so disappointed. I've had a fantastic career but now I have to think about what's going to happen in the future."

Olsson believes Idowu will now go on to replace him as Olympic champion.

"I think he is definitely the favourite," Olsson added. "No-one else so far has shown they are in any shape and it is only a few weeks away.

"If Phillips can keep going and maybe get better, he will be the biggest favourite in Beijing."

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