Injury blow for sprinter

The 24-year-old Newport sprinter pulled up with 80m to go in his 200m heat at Lievin in the Gaz de France meeting and is now a major doubt to compete in Hungary.

Malcolm's trainer, Jock Ander-son said: "Christian pulled up with 80m to go with a hamstring problem. We don't know the extent of the damage as yet but he will go for a scan today and then he will receive extensive treatment.

"This is the last thing he needs."

Malcolm has struggled this season with a groin problem but this latest injury is a different set-back. Anderson said: "He wouldn't usually have entered this event but he needed the race before the World's next week but we will just have to wait and see what the scan says before we can decide on anything."

Malcolm had earlier in the day equalled his season's best 60m time, posting 6.71secs in the semi-final before running out in fifth place in the final with a 6.76sec finishing time behind Cuba's Freddy Mayola who took gold. Namibia's Frankie Fredericks took the 200m title after Malcolm pulled up.

"I felt a sharp pain and erred on the side of caution," said the Welsh star, who had been confident of his chances next weekend.

"Whether I'll be fit enough to compete, I don't know," he added. Malcolm had to start his indoor season late because of a hamstring problem, and he said: "I can't believe this has happened.

"It was my other leg which was troubling me before."

The former 200m silver medalist admitted that the trip to Hungary was now in jeopardy and that he did not want to hinder his chances of competing in the Olympics Games in Athens in the Summer.

Malcolm, who came fifth in the Sydney final four year years ago, said: "I've always said the most important thing this year is the Olympic Games and I'm still thinking that way."

The Lievin circuit holds unhappy memories for the sprinter, he was victorious in the 200m final three years ago but was disqualified for stepping out of his lane.

Coach Anderson said: "I think the place is jinxed."