Regis in race against time for Barcelona

ATHLETICS

ATHLETICS

John Regis, the British 200 metres record holder who pulled a hamstring running in Stockholm on Monday evening, has not completely written off his chances of appearing in the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona in a fortnight.

Regis had physiotherapy yesterday and was named in Britain's team for the championships from 10-12 March. The chief coach, Malcolm Arnold, said: "John can take his time before making a decision next week."

Referring to the injury, he said: "It went coming off the first bend and he thought he was OK. Coming off the second we saw he wasn't.

"It depends how badly the hamstring has gone. It looked a bit more than a nick to me, but you have to trust their integrity. Knowing John as I do, there is no way he will be competing if he is going to risk himself."

Allyn Condon stands by to take over from the unlucky Regis, who was ruled out of his defence of the European title in Helsinki last summer by an Achilles injury.

Condon, a former world junior sprint relay gold medallist, would partner Solomon Wariso, back in a championship team after serving a three-month drugs ban.

Linford Christie, who changed his mind about going for the only major title to elude him, heads the 34-strong squad in the 60m.

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