SSE Ambassador Katarina Johnson-Thompson has revealed an injury has ruled her out of the Commonwealth Games.
The 21-year-old sustained a “stress reaction” in her foot and has been forced to pull out of the Games as doctors warned that she risked long-term damage should she compete.
The Liverpudlian says she is “devastated” to have to take the decision to withdraw from the English team.
SSE is a proud sponsor of Katarina, Team England and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
SSE Director of Sponsorship Wendy Barbour said: “This is sad news for Katarina and everyone who was looking forward to seeing her compete at Glasgow 2014.
“But she is a great athlete and she will be back better than ever.
“With just two days to go before the events begins the atmosphere in Glasgow is fantastic and SSE customers and staff will be cheering on all of our athlete ambassadors from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when the games get underway.”
Katarina said: “The Commonwealth Games was a key target for me this year. I was feeling good in my preparation up until this week so this is a real blow.
“All the advice is telling me that I risk long-term damage if I compete in a heptathlon in just over a week’s time, and I have to take that advice for the sake of my career.
“My season so far with a world indoor medal in the long jump, winning at Götzis and becoming world No1 in heptathlon had really given me the confidence that I could come away with that gold medal- but sadly it’s just not meant to be.”
Johnson-Thompson posted the highest heptathlon score of the year with a personal-best of 6,682 points last month.
Her performance at the prestigious Hypo-Meeting in Gotzis made her one of the favourites to win gold in Glasgow, so withdrawal is understandably disappointing for the talented athlete.
But Katarina remains hopeful of being fit for the European Championships in Zurich next month where she is due to compete in the long jump.
She said: “I really hope to be able to compete in the long jump at the European Championships next month, but it doesn’t take away how gutted I am that I won’t be at the Commonwealths.”
With Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill absent after giving birth and Morgan Lake focusing on the World Junior Championships, Grace Clements and Jessica Taylor will represent England.