INJURY has forced Kelly Holmes to withdraw from the European Indoor Athletics Championships due to take place in Madrid this weekend.

The double Olympic gold medallist experienced a sharp pain in her hamstring during the last 200m effort of her training session on Saturday.

It has been diagnosed as a hamstring tear and she has been advised by both her coach Margo Jennings and medical staff to withdraw from the event.

Holmes said: "I am very disappointed that I have been forced to withdraw as training has been going really well over the last four to five days. I was looking forward to competing."

Holmes will now receive daily intensive treatment in South Africa with the intention of minimising any long term impact and to try and ensure the best possible outcome for her outdoor season.

Dr Bruce Hamilton, GB Team Medical Officer, added: "Given Kelly’s high incidence of recurrent hamstring injury, it is vital that we manage this appropriately.

"Kelly has been advised to withdraw from these Championships in order to prevent any long-term consequences."