Crawford pulls out of world's 200m

Olympic champion Shawn Crawford of the US has pulled out of the 200 metres at next month's world championships in Helsinki because of a persistent foot injury, his agent said yesterday.

Kimberly Trammell told Reuters Crawford had been troubled with a foot injury since late last year. He has not competed since the US trials in June.

"He will try only to compete in the 100m and (4x100) relay at the world championships," Trammell said.

Crawford's withdrawal opens a place for Wallace Spearmon, who finished fourth in the trials.

Spearmon, 20, won the 200 metres at last Friday's London grand prix in a year's best time of 19.89 seconds.