Former world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu has announced that he is taking a break from the sport.
The British athlete, who failed to win a medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games, was expected to compete in this weekend's UK trials in Birmingham.
However, via a statement from the triple jumper's management company, Idowu has opted to pull out and step away from the sport for a period of time.
"After some careful consideration I have decided that for the foreseeable future I will be taking a step back from athletics," said Idowu. "I feel this is the right time for me to make this decision and it's not a choice I've made lightly.
"I greatly appreciate all of the support I have received over the past years, particularly from the British public and my team and sponsors - it has been an extremely happy and successful time. I'm excited about pursuing other interests and taking other opportunities that present themselves to me during this break."
Idowu's last medal came in the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, where he won silver while representing Great Britain.
