Injured Bergqvist pulls out

High jump world champion Kajsa Bergqvist has pulled out of this month's world indoor championships in Moscow to recover from a twisted ankle.

"I don't want to take any risks for the very important outdoor season or go to Moscow and have a bad result," the Swede said .

"I have not been able to train or prepare myself as I would have liked to. I have had my foot x-rayed and my doctors say nothing is damaged, but some more time is needed for me to do myself justice."

The 29-year-old, who won her maiden world outdoor title in Helsinki last year, was the favourite to win the indoor crown for a third time, having won it in 2001 and 2003.

Bergqvist broke Heike Henkel's 14-year-old world indoor record last month by clearing 2.08 metres at a high jump meeting in Germany.

She was injured during practice two weeks ago. "My big goal is to win the European outdoor championships in Gothenburg this summer," added Bergqvist, who is expected to be back to full fitness within three weeks.