Triple-jumper Idowu to miss Moscow championships

Former world champion Phillips Idowu will miss next month's World Championships in Moscow after the British triple jumper on Wednesday announced he is taking a break from athletics. Idowu has endured a difficult time in the last 12 months, falling-out with former Great Britain head coach Charles van Commenee before last year's Olympics and then failing to make the final in the London Games. Despite not being selected for Britain at last month's European Team Championships in Gateshead, the 34-year-old was expected to compete at this weekend's World Championship trials in Birmingham. However, Idowu confirmed in a statement that he has decided to step back from the sport, with no time given for when he might return. "After some careful consideration I have decided that for the foreseeable future I will be taking a step back from athletics," he said. "I feel this is the right time for me to make this decision and it's not a choice I've made lightly. "I greatly appreciate all of the support I have received over the past years, particularly from the British public and my team and sponsors; it has been an extremely happy and successful time. "I'm excited about pursuing other interests and taking other opportunities that present themselves to me during this break." From: AFP