McConnell misses UK championships

Eurosport - Fri, 10 Jul 22:38:00 2009

Lee McConnell's at next month's World Championships is in the balance after the 400m runner didn't make the UK Athletics Championships.

ATHLETICS 2007 Lee McConnell - 0

The Scot - who is ranked second over 400m in Britain with a season's best 51.52 seconds and won bronze at the recent European Team Championships - withdrew rather than worsen an unknown injury.

Her decision will give selectors a major headache - with world silver medallist Nicola Sanders also missing from Birmingham's Alexander Stadium with an ankle injury.

In the absence of her two chief rivals, world and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu eased into Saturday's final in 51.86 secs.

Originally she had planned to run over 200m but had a change of heart after being outperformed by rival Sanya Richards at last week's Bislett Games in Oslo.

I need to get some more 400s under my belt and this is a perfect opportunity to do so, said Ohuruogu.

Things have changed from what I originally planned to do but that is just the way things go.

I need to start feeling the 400m more in my legs and I am sure I will find out a bit more about what needs to be done after the final. It is all about winning in Berlin.

Perri Shakes Drayton was the second quickest qualifier while Kim Wall, Vicky Barr and Donna Fraser will also be in contention.

However, all have yet to achieve the 51.50 second qualifying A' standard.

I relaxed quite a bit down the back straight because it was windy and that was always going to have an affect on the times, said Barr.

I just have to focus on getting in that top two for the final. That has always been the main aim for me and I still believe it is possible.

More than the Games / Eurosport

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