European cross country champion Mo Farah will not defend his title in Spain next month because of a groin injury.

Somalia-born Farah, who won the 5,000 metres silver medal at the European championships in Gothenburg last year and was a finalist at this year's world championships in Osaka, will concentrate instead on next year's Beijing Olympics.

"I'm disappointed that I will not be able to defend my title but 2008 is a key year and my preparations for Beijing have to take priority," Farah said.

"I've had a great 2007. My performance in Osaka showed I am going in the right direction and it's important I don't jeopardise that by rushing this recovery process."

London-based Farah, last year's British Athlete of the Year, is expected to resume racing in the New Year.

German pole vaulter Yvonne Buschbaum is quitting athletics to have hormone therapy after deciding she was "emotionally in the wrong body". Buschbaum, 27, won two European Championship bronze medals in her career. She said on her website that a recent injury had contributed to her decision, adding that she did not dope. "I feel I'm a man in the body of a woman," she said.