Wariner to miss World Champs

NEW YORK (AP):

Former world and Olympic 400-metre champion Jeremy Wariner will miss the IAAF World Championships later this month in Daegu, South Korea, with a torn ligament on his left foot.

Wariner tore a ligament near his second toe while training last month. The extent of the ailment wasn't diagnosed until this week.

"I am disappointed that I will not be able to try to regain the world title in the 400 meters in Daegu," Wariner said in a statement issued Tuesday night.

Wariner, who won world crowns in 2005 and 2007, had already pulled out of a meet this weekend in London because of the injury, which causes him pain each time he pushes down on the foot.

"He can't run on it. He just can't go," his agent Deon Minor said.

And with the 2012 London Olympics only a year away, Wariner's medical staff didn't want him to take any chances. He won Olympic gold in the 400 at the 2004 Athens Games.

"Right now my focus is to get healthy," Wariner said. "I wish my teammates the best in Daegu."

The injury puts the anticipated showdown between Wariner and reigning world champion LaShawn Merritt on hold. Merritt has been out for 21 months as he served a doping ban. He returned last week and took second place at a meet in Stockholm.

Merritt qualifies for the Worlds, courtesy of his win in 2009.

Wariner finished second behind Tony McQuay at the US championships in June. Greg Nixon held off Jamaal Torrence for the final spot.

But with Wariner's injury, Torrence may be added to the squad when the world team is announced on August 9.